The latest research

30 January 2020
Winter 2020

Here we summarise three research papers from a recent issue of Optometry in Practice.

The journey of visual acuity: are we nearly there yet?

Roger S Anderson FCOptom, Steven C Dakin and Nilpa Shah MCOptom

Visual acuity measurement continues to be a fundamental component of every eye examination. This paper reviews the development of acuity tests, from those used more than 1000 years ago to the Moorfields Acuity Chart of 2015 and the current “gold standard”. 

The authors identify the reasons for various remaining deficiencies and present recent, novel chart designs intended to address these weaknesses and achieve the ultimate goal of developing tests that are accurate, precise, sensitive and specific.

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Related further reading

On the eve of the 2026 European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) conference in London, The College of Optometrists co-hosted ‘Vision Together: Seeing Differently – Innovation, Collaboration & the Future of Eye Care’.

The College of Optometrists has partnered with Boots Opticians to launch a new fully funded PhD Scholarship to extend the profession's investment in the next generation of optometry researchers.

The College of Optometrists is inviting members and non-members to nominate outstanding researchers for the annual Research Excellence Awards in recognition of those making a significant contribution to optometric research and the future of the profession.