Repeatability and intercorrelations of standard vision tests as a functionof age

Purpose: We assessed repeatability and intercorrelations of five standard v ision tests in subjects with normal vision. Methods: Seventy-eight subjects (aged 21 to 68 years) completed five measurements each of high- and low-co ntrast visual acuity, near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Ro bson chart). Results: Except for correlations between high- and low-contras t Visual acuity (r = 0.78), intercorrelations between tests were low to mod erate (r < 0.5). For each measure, variability for the group was about one line on the chart (one triplet for the Pelli-Robson chart) and the minimum variability for an individual subject was about one third of this. On avera ge, 1 to 2 lines can be expected to be lost over the normal lifespan on eac h test. Variability in responses did not increase significantly with age fo r any test. Conclusions: The criterion for judging change on commonly used clinical vision tests is about one line for subjects over a wide age range.