What is the purpose of a visual acuity test?

The purpose of a visual acuity test is to measure the sharpness of vision. This test assesses how well a person can see details at a standardized distance and is typically performed using an eye chart, such as the Snellen chart. By determining the smallest letters or symbols a person can accurately read, the test provides a numerical value that represents their visual acuity. High acuity indicates clear vision, whereas lower acuity suggests vision impairment or the need for corrective lenses.

In contrast, measuring the pressure within the eye is focused on assessing eye health and diagnosing potential glaucoma, while assessing peripheral vision evaluates the entire visual field outside of central focus, important for detecting issues like tunnel vision. Evaluating color blindness helps identify deficiencies in color perception but does not relate to overall sharpness of vision. Each of these tests serves a different purpose in ocular health but visual acuity specifically pertains to measuring how clearly a person can see.