To test your eyes using an at-home method with an eye chart, you typically sit a set distance away and read the lines of letters, checking each eye separately.
Testing your eyes at home using a chart can provide a basic screening of your vision. It helps you see if there are noticeable changes or difficulties in reading letters at a distance. While this method is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam by a professional, it can be a useful tool for periodic checks for adults and older children.
Steps for Performing an At-Home Eye Test
Based on guidance for at-home eye tests for adults and older children from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, here are the steps involved:
- Positioning: Have the person being tested sit in a chair located 10 feet away from the eye chart. Ensure the chart is at eye level.
- Cover One Eye: Have the person being tested cover one eye completely, without pressing on the eyelid. You can use their hand or an eye patch.
- Read the Chart: Shine a flashlight on each line of the chart as the person being tested reads the letters out loud. Start from the top and move down to the smallest line they can clearly see. Repeat the process for the other eye.
Note: Make sure you are using a properly sized eye chart designed for testing at a 10-foot distance.
Important Considerations
- Lighting: While the reference mentions using a flashlight, ensure the room has adequate, consistent lighting overall when performing the test.
- Accuracy: At-home tests provide a general idea of visual acuity but are not as precise or comprehensive as tests performed by an eye care professional.
- Beyond Acuity: At-home tests only check how well you see details at a distance (visual acuity). They do not check for other important aspects of eye health, such as peripheral vision, color vision, depth perception, eye muscle coordination, or conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration.
- Professional Exam: Regardless of at-home test results, regular comprehensive eye exams by an ophthalmologist or optometrist are crucial for maintaining eye health and detecting problems early.
| Purpose of At-Home Test | Purpose of Professional Exam |
|---|---|
| Basic visual acuity screening | Comprehensive eye health assessment |
| Identify significant changes | Detect diseases and conditions |
| Convenient initial check | Prescription for corrective lenses |
If you notice any difficulty reading the chart, significant differences between your eyes, or experience any symptoms like blurry vision, eye pain, or flashes of light, you should schedule a professional eye exam promptly.
