Variability of measurements of visual acuity in a large eye clinic

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the variability of visual a cuity in a large eye clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional study using 50, consecutively presenting adult p atients with visual acuity of at least 6/60 and aged between w18 and 75 yea rs was performed. Measurements of visual acuity obtained under normal clini cal conditions were compared to measurements obtained using standard clinic al research protocols. The variability of visual acuity was assessed by det ermining the 95% limits of agreement between test and retest measures. Results: There were no significant differences between test-retest measurem ents of visual acuity, either aided or unaided. Pearson r correlation coeff icients between test and retest measurements were high for both aided and u naided visual acuity. The 95% limits of agreement revealed repeatability of about +/-1.5 logMAR or 1.5 lines on a standard logMAR chart. Conclusion: In large eye clinics, in order to be confident that a real chan ge in visual acuity has occurred between measurements, a difference of at l east 0.15 logMAR (8 letters on a standard logMAR visual acuity chart) is re quired.