The relation between visual acuity and other spatial vision measures

Purpose: To examine to what extent measurement of standard visual acuity al lows prediction of other spatial vision measures on an individual basis whe n high correlations exist between visual acuity and the other measures. Met hods: A series of spatial vision functions were measured in a sample of 900 community-dwelling older observers. Regression analysis was performed, and correlation coefficients were calculated between standard high-contrast vi sual acuity and other spatial vision measures including contrast sensitivit y, low-contrast acuity, low-contrast low-luminance acuity (SKILL card), and disability glare acuity. Results: All measures were highly and significant ly correlated with standard visual acuity (r = 0.68 to 0.91). Despite the h igh correlations, many predictions of the other spatial vision measures fro m the correlation with standard acuity fell considerably outside of accepta ble ranges determined by repeatability, The influence of the range of value s in correlations is emphasized. Conclusions: Other spatial vision measures cannot be predicted on an individual basis from visual acuity despite high and significant correlations between the measures. (Optom Vis Sci 2000;77: 653-662).