Visual testing on iPad convenient and easy

Seattle-An iPad-based letter contrast sensitivity test could be a quick, easy, and convenient alternative to more traditional testing measures. This new tool, developed by Ridgevue Vision, has the advantage of being interactive as well, explained Mark A. Bullimore, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO, a professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry.

Dr. Bullimore and colleagues conducted an evaluation of the iPad test, and discussed the results of his study at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry.

The iPad test presents two letters per page and in 0.1 log unit steps, and the researchers compared it with two of the standard tests, the Freiburg and the Pelli-Robson. Their cohort included 20 individuals with normal sight and 20 with low vision.

“The repeatability was comparable with the other tests,” Dr. Bullimore pointed out. “For normal-sighted subjects, our values were comparable with another computer-based test, the Freiberg test.”

However, the Pelli-Robson test gave significantly lower values. Persons with low vision had slightly lower repeatability (iPad = ±0.24, Pelli-Robson =  ±0.23, Freiburg = ±0.21).

Unlike other tests, this one does not require external lighting and runs on the iPad without need for special software or calibration. “You can just download it from the iTunes store,” said Dr. Bullimore.

An un-validated student version with one letter per contrast level is also available from the iTunes store.