Testing acuity of vision in general practice: reaching recommended standard

Measurements of acuity of vision are highly reliable with a reliability in excess of 98% according to one important study1—because a standard protocol exists. The British Standards Institution specifies the minimum illumination for externally illuminated charts and the distance that patients should be from the chart.2 Compliance with this standard helps to ensure comparable results in the measurement of acuity of vision. Patients' acuity of vision measured in the eye department at this hospital, however, sometimes differs from the measurement given in their referral letter. I examined whether general practice surgeries complied with standards on illumination and distances. I randomly selected 24 of the 48 main general practices that fell within the boundaries of the former Torbay District Health Authority. Branch surgeries were excluded from the survey. In September …