Rosser, Daniel Ashley;
(2005)
Improving the measurement of visual acuity in clinical practice and clinical research.
Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This thesis considers the relationship between the design of a visual acuity test and various aspects of its performance. Using contemporary test design theory, novel tests are developed and evaluated in an attempt to better meet the requirements of a visual acuity test most pertinent to clinical practice, clinical research, and population based surveys. The acuity test of choice in clinical practice is the Snellen chart, a test whose usefulness is limited by several design flaws. Clinical researchers favour the ETDRS logMAR chart which employs robust design principles, but is time consuming to use. A chart featuring an abbreviated ETDRS design was developed and its performance compared with that of the ETDRS and Snellen charts. The prototype chart allows acuities to be measured in half the time of the ETDRS chart with greater precision than the Snellen chart. A tumbling-E version of this chart has been successfully employed in population based surveys in Thailand, Bangladesh and Mongolia. It was noted during the study that the precision of even ETDRS acuities was relatively poor. A computerised version of the ETDRS test was developed and used to investigate the repeating and averaging of acuities as a means to improve precision. Whilst prolonging test time, the computerised test allowed acuities to be measured with improved precision. Optical defocus was investigated as a potential source of reduced precision in visual acuity testing. It was shown that even small degrees of defocus may significantly reduce test precision. An approach which considers test performance in terms of sensitivity and specificity was developed. A mathematical model was used to show that current methods of using estimates of precision to identify clinically important change, are overly optimistic. Predictions derived using the model were shown to agree well with empirical findings.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Title: | Improving the measurement of visual acuity in clinical practice and clinical research |
| Identifier: | PQ ETD:602737 |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Thesis digitised by ProQuest. Third party copyright material has been removed from the ethesis. Images identifying individuals have been redacted or partially redacted to protect their identity. |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Institute of Ophthalmology |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1446798 |
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