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The AVTS Vision Test: A Replacement For The 150 Year-Old Eye Chart

Combining modern testing methods and technology we can get a more accurate assessment of vision

Dr. Daniel Laby
5 min readJan 16, 2023

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A subject behind a “phoropter” used to determine the refractive power of each eye and the possible need for glasses
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya

We’ve been using the same eye chart for 150 years to test our vision. The chart was designed by Hermann Snellen, a Dutch Ophthalmologist in 1862, and is commonly known as the “Snellen chart”. Recently, a new test has been developed which more accurately reflects the visual needs in day to day life. The AVTS test leverages modern statistical methods as well as technology to create a vision test for this century.

The Snellen eye chart

The printed Snellen chart consists of lines of block letters, arranged in progressively smaller sizes. The Snellen chart is typically hung on a wall, with the patient reading the letters from a distance of 20 feet. The lines on a Snellen chart usually contains letters of different sizes, ranging from the largest at the top to the smallest at the bottom.

All of the characters on the chart are capital letters, written in a block font, in a 5:1 ratio. The ratio is important as it limits, in some cases, which letters can be shown…

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Dr. Daniel Laby

Eye Doc for Pro Athletes | 30+ years of experience | Want to improve your performance? Go here 👉 https://DrDanLaby.com