Date 15 May 2007

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VISION ACUITY TESTING PROCESS (SNELLEN CHART)

Visual acuity (VA) is acuteness or clearness of vision, especially form vision, which is dependent on the
sharpness of the retinal focus within the eye, the sensitivity of the nervous elements, and the interpretative faculty
of the brain.

It is a quantitative measure of the ability to identify black symbols on a white background at a standardized
distance as the size of the symbols is varied. The VA represents the smallest size that can be reliably identified. It
is the most common clinical measurement of visual function. The well-known phrase "20-20 vision" refers to the
distance in feet that objects separated by an angle of 1 arc minute can be distinguished as separate objects. The
metric equivalent is 6-6 vision.

A Snellen chart is an eye chart used by eye care professionals and others to measure visual acuity. The Snellen
Chart used for examination is printed with 11 lines of block letters or optotypes. The first line consists of one very
large letter, and subsequent rows have increasing numbers of letters that decrease in size.

When checking visual acuity, one eye is covered at a time and the vision of each eye is recorded separately, as
well as both eyes together. The person taking the test stands at a distance of 20 feet (6m), and covers one eye.
They then read aloud the letters of each row, beginning at the top. The smallest row that can be read accurately
indicates the person’s visual acuity in that eye.

In the Snellen fraction 20/20, the first number represents the test distance, 20 feet, the second fraction indicates
which line the person was able to read.

 A person with vision of 20/40 or greater in each eye or both eyes together will receive a license without restrictions
in regard to corrective lenses, unless medical or other problems affecting vision exist.
 A person with vision of 20/40 or greater in each eye or both eyes together only with use of corrective lenses will be
restricted to driving with corrective lenses. These personnel must have their driving permit endorsed “corrective
lens must be worn when driving”.

The results of the VA test shall be recorded for each person in the following format:

Candidate

Badge Number

Authorized Tester

Date

Left Eye

Right Eye

Eyes Combined

Result

TF - FPM
Site Specific HES Procedures