Comparison of visual acuity testing in clinic versus at home
Reviewed by Lauren Hepworth

The authors present a prospective cohort study including children aged three to 12-years-old with and without ocular pathology. Visual acuity was assessed using both an M&S Smart System in clinic, using different protocols depending on the age of the child. Another visual acuity test was then conducted by the family at home using the M&S Technologies EyeSimplify portal. The family was provided with a 3m piece of string, two markers, eye patches and detailed written instructions to support the home assessment. The cohort comprised 65 children, with 46% having normal visual acuity and 51% with amblyopia. Many children had experienced visual acuity testing in the clinic setting prior to taking part in this study; 38% of three to <seven-year-olds and 58% seven to 12-year-olds. The concordance between the two methods of visual acuity testing was 97% and 98% for the two age groups respectively. The authors conclude that the method of home testing in this study provided equivalent visual acuity results to the clinic assessment. A number of limitations and benefits are outlined in the discussion regarding this method of home visual acuity testing including requirement of computer / tablet, reduced travel costs and inconvenience of appointments.

Web-based visual acuity testing for children.
Birch EE, Hudgins LA, Jost RM, et al.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY AND STRABISMUS
2022 Epub ahead of print.