Using computers to test visual acuity.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This paper describes a computer-generated acuity test that can be produced on IBM compatible equipment in the Windows 3.1 environment. METHODS: The acuity test was applied to 14 observers using two psychophysical methods (staircase and method of constant stimuli [MOCS]) to determine the validity and reliability of the outcomes. Comparisons were made between test methods and a hard copy LogMAR chart using statistics suited to intra-class comparisons. The effect that screen luminance has on outcomes and hardware warm-up requirements were also considered. RESULTS: The computer staircase was found to provide a reliable estimate of acuity. The hard copy chart and computer staircase ha..