Literature Review: Non Standard Vision Tests to Predict Functional Vision

Jody Major, BappSc(ORTH)(Hons)
Neryla Jolly, DOBA (T), MA (Macq)

This literature review explores tests that demonstrate aspects of vision other than high contrast Snellen’s acuity. The outcome from such tests may link to human performance in daily living tasks such as driving and mobility.
There are a variety of visual tests that demonstrate difference visual skills these include night vision (Nyktotest, Mesotest, mesopic visual acuity), glare sensitivity (Mesotest, Nyktotest, brightness acuity tester[BAT], contrast sensitivity and visual attention (useful field of vision [UFOV]. Results reported in literature suggest links between reduced performance and decreased daily living skills. For example the UFOV test is predictive of crash involvement among elderly populations. Each test will be explained and their application to driving or general mobility will be explored.
This paper raises the possibility of examining vision by using methods that will result in the practitioner being able to predict the impact of vision defects on human performance.