A web-based visual acuity test provides a feasible at-home alternative for monitoring macular diseases, according to a study.
The study included adults with macular diseases who completed a web-based visual acuity test using a smartphone, computer, and a 3-meter viewing distance. The web-based test employed Tumbling-E and triangle optotypes, with results compared against the standard ETDRS Distance Visual Acuity (DVA) test.
Findings from 89 tested eyes showed that the web-based test closely matched Snellen line assessments but was less precise than the ETDRS standard. The mean difference in DVA was 0.03 LogMAR (equivalent to 1.5 letters), with test-retest variability remaining low. Near visual acuity results showed wider variability, but the test demonstrated strong predictive values (positive: 0.93; negative: 0.71).
Researchers concluded that elderly patients could successfully perform the test at home, potentially reducing clinic visits and healthcare costs.
Reference
van der Zee C, Huynh LDH, Imhof SM, et al. Remote web-based self-assessment of visual acuity versus ETDRS in patients with macular diseases: a method comparison study. Int J Retina Vitreous. 2025;11(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s40942-025-00656-7. PMID: 40087714; PMCID: PMC11907903.
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