1 / 9

Visual Acuity (VA) Using the Snellen Chart

Chapter 37. Visual Acuity (VA) Using the Snellen Chart. History. Snellen charts are named after the Dutch ophthalmologist Hermann Snellen who developed the chart in 1862 . Snellen defined “standard vision ”

keanu
Download Presentation

Visual Acuity (VA) Using the Snellen Chart

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Chapter 37 Visual Acuity (VA)Using the Snellen Chart

  2. History • Snellen charts are named after the Dutch ophthalmologist Hermann Snellen who developed the chart in 1862. • Snellen defined “standard vision” • Snellen chart is placed at a standard distance: 20 ft in the US, or 6 meters in the rest of the world.

  3. Terminology • Ophthalmology-the science of the eye, its disorders, and diseases. • Ophthalmologist-An MD who can diagnose disorders, prescribe medications or lenses, and perform surgical procedures. • Optometrist-is NOT an MD but can diagnose vision problems, perform eye exams, and treat vision problems with eyewear or eye exercises.

  4. Distance Visual Acuity Distance visual acuity is typically assessed using a Snellen chart. May use E chart, pediatric picture chart, or alphabet chart Patient stands 20 feet from chart at eye level Eyes tested with corrective lenses worn Record results as fraction with 20 feet on top Both eyes remain open during the examination; no squinting or straining Abbreviations: OD (right), OS (left), OU (both)

  5. Types of Snellen Charts

  6. What to do: Prepare: • First, prepare the room for the exam. • Must be well lit. • Make sure the marker is 20 feet from the Snellen E-Chart (20 feet is standard testing distance).

  7. What to do: The Exam: • Second, Introduce yourself to the patient and explain what you will be doing. • Give specific instructions. (pointing) • Instruct the patient not to squint (This temporarily improves vision). • Be sure the patient has not studied the chart before the test. • If the patient wears contacts or glasses, instruct them to keep them on. Remember this is a vision test.

  8. What to do: The Exam: • Third, Instruct the patient to keep both eyes open throughout the whole exam. This prevents squinting. • Cover the left eye (os). The patient will start reading with their right eye. (This is standard) • Repeat the test covering the right eye (od). • Repeat the test with both eyes (ou).

  9. Recording Results Document: • Pt’s name • Date • Time • Visual acuity results: OD, OS, and OU. • Document any reactions that occurred while reading the chart. • Document whether the patient wore their eyewear.

More Related