Irvine Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Inc.

Visual Acuity Testing at Home!​

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This page has resources on how you can test your visual acuity at home!  These tools can help you monitor your vision.  Of course, a home vision test is not a substitute to an in-office eye examination by an eye care provider.  A comprehensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist will be much more accurate than a home vision test, and it may even detect underlying health issues elsewhere in the body.

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OneSight's online Vision Check free web-based software provides a vision check at 1 meter (3 feet), near vision at 35 centimeters (14 inches), and color vision.  You can test your vision without entering any personal information in and results can be emailed to yourself if you desire.

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Manual Distance Visual Acuity Testing

• Snellen Vision Chart​ for adults to be used at 3 meters (10 feet)

• Tumbling E Vision Chart for children to be used at 3 meters (10 feet)

• MD+CALC also has an online chart that can be used at the patient's bedside

• If you need help with checking your vision, the please review the AAO page on Home Eye test for Children and Adults for detailed instructions.

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Electronic Interactive Storybook to Screen for Color Deficiency
The Children’s Eye Foundation of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus has unveiled an interactive children’s book, The Curious Eye, to help screen for color-vision deficiency. The foundation has posted a free digital version of the book online at thecuriouseye.org.  

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What about other home vision tests that allow you to order glasses and contacts?  According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Michael X. Repka, MD, "The public should understand that these online tests can measure the power of your eyeglass prescription, but they can't detect eye diseases that often have hidden symptoms.  While online tests for glasses prescription may be okay for adults 18-39 years of age with healthy eyes, they are not appropriate for those with an eye condition or risk factors for eye disease - such as having diabetes or a family history of glaucoma - or for those who have not had a recent eye examination."  The American Academy of Ophthalmology's recommended schedule for eye examinations is available on our EyeKnow page or you can access it directly here.

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