Standardized Russian reading chart for assessing reading parameters

BACKGROUND: A number of charts based on checking reading parameters are increasingly being used to assess visual functions. These charts are standardized, translated into many languages. The development of a Russian chart based on international standards and the determination of age norms of clinical reading parameters will allow it to be used for a more accurate assessment of the dynamics of diseases and treatment results. AIM: The aim is to determine the normal reading parameters in patients of different age groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on international standards, two Russian charts have been developed to study reading parameters. Reading parameters were determined during one session in 135 subjects, divided into 3 groups: I — 18–39 years, II — 40–59 years, and III — 60–81 years. Three main parameters were studied: maximum reading speed, critical print size, and reading acuity (RA). RESULTS: As a result of the study, age norms for basic reading parameters were determined. Maximum reading speed in group I was 192.5 ± 1.2, in group II — 180.6 ± 1.1 and in group III — 168.9 ± 0.8 words/min. Critical print size in group I was 0.14 ± 0.01, in group II — 0.24 ± 0.01, and in group III — 0.36 ± 0.01 logMAR. The reading acuity in group I was 0.009 ± 0.006, in group II — 0.075 ± 0.04, in group III — 0.143 ± 0.005 logMAR. The differences between the studied parameters in groups I/II, I/III and II/III were statistically significant (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The indicators of reading parameters obtained during the study can be used as approximate age norms.