Remote visual acuity testing

An accurate and reliable visual acuity test that can be undertaken remotely and without administration by a clinician has the potential to augment teleophthalmology, primary and emergency care, and screening initiatives. Screening, such as for amblyopia in young children, is often limited by availability of trained personnel. Teleophthalmology could allow more patients to avoid unnecessary trips to hospital or clinic, and help reduce barriers to close follow-up when required. The quality of referrals and triage could be improved by giving non-specialists in primary care and emergency care settings access to a convenient vision test, improving the patient experience and reducing demand on eye care services. Robust validation in real-world settings is essential to justify deployment.