A SIMPLIFIED SCREENING-TEST FOR IDENTIFYING PEOPLE WITH LOW-VISION INDEVELOPING-COUNTRIES

Simple but effective tests have been produced for screening subjects w ith low vision in developing countries. These tests of distance and ne ar vision, based on the E test, were evaluated and validated in trials with people aged 4-90 years, and have been field tested in the health , education and rehabilitation services in 32 developing countries. Th eir sensitivity and specificity as screening fools for low vision have been calculated: sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 96% for the di stance vision test, and sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 84% for the near vision test. The content and format of the tests have been d emonstrated to be appropriate for developing countries, and their effe ctiveness for screening for low vision has been confirmed.