ABO Ophthalmology Complete Practice Exam 2025

Visual acuity is a key aspect of eye health and is commonly assessed through specific tests designed to determine how well a person can see at various distances. The Snellen chart is the standard tool used for this purpose in clinical practice. It consists of rows of letters that decrease in size, allowing practitioners to evaluate a patient’s ability to discern letters and shapes at a designated distance, typically 20 feet in the United States.

The measurement obtained from the Snellen chart is expressed as a fraction (such as 20/20), where the numerator indicates the testing distance (20 feet) and the denominator indicates the distance at which a person with normal vision can read the line. This direct assessment of visual acuity is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring various ocular conditions.

While other options serve important roles in ophthalmic evaluation, they do not primarily measure visual acuity. The Amsler grid is used to assess central vision and look for distortions, particularly in patients at risk for macular degeneration. The Ishihara test is specifically designed to evaluate color vision, while the Goldman visual field test assesses peripheral vision rather than acuity. Thus, the Snellen chart is the correct answer for measuring visual acuity directly.

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