Visual Acuity: Area of Retinal Stimulation

Rebecca Duyshart , BOrth

This paper presents a new concept in design specifications of optotypes used and questions whether the difference in area between optotypes at the same level of threshold acuity influences legibility. Forty subjects were examined with two series of test cards – Equal Area (EA) and Equal Dimensions (ED) – that consisted of single, solid, geometric shapes. The results suggest that on first examination the area of an optotypes is significant in the perception process of identifying the optotypes perceived.