International Society for Low vision Research and Rehabilitation

GUIDE
for the Evaluation
of VISUAL Impairment
Published through the Pacific Vision Foundation, San Francisco
for presentation at the International Low Vision Conference VISION-99.
 TABLE of CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1
PART 1 – OVERVIEW 3
Aspects of Vision Loss 3
Visual Functions 4
Functional Vision 4
Use of Scales 5
Ability Profiles 5
PART 2 – ASSESSMENT OF VISUAL FUNCTIONS 6
Visual Acuity Assessment 6
In the Normal and Near-normal range 6
In the Low Vision range 8
Reading Acuity vs. Letter Chart Acuity 10
Visual Field Assessment 11
Monocular vs. Binocular Fields 12
PART 3 – ESTIMATING FUNCTIONAL VISION 13
A General Ability Scale 13
Visual Acuity Scores, Visual Field Scores 15
Calculation Rules 18
Functional Vision Score, Adjustments 20
Examples 22
PART 4 – DIRECT ASSESSMENT
OF FUNCTIONAL VISION 24
Vision-related Activities 24
Creating an Activity Profile 25
Participation 27
PART 5 – DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND 28
Comparison to AMA scales 28
Statistical Use of the Visual Acuity Score 30
Comparison to ICIDH-2 31
Bibliography 31

© Copyright 1999 by August Colenbrander, M.D. All rights reserved.

GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

INTRODUCTION

OBJECTIVE Measurement Guidelines for Collaborative

Studies of the National Eye Institute (NEI),
This GUIDE presents a coordinated system for the
Bethesda, MD
evaluation of the functional aspects of vision.
It has been prepared on behalf of the International
WORK GROUP
Society for Low Vision Research and
Rehabilitation (ISLRR) for presentation at The GUIDE was approved by a Work Group
VISION-99, the fifth International Low Vision including the following members:
conference. The GUIDE is based on currently
August Colenbrander, MD, Chair,
available standards. This means that some parts,
Director, Low Vision Services, California
for which standardized measuring tools are still
Pacific Medical Center, and Smith-Kettlewell
lacking, are not yet developed in as much detail as
Eye Research Institute, San Francisco
would be desirable. It is hoped that input received
over the next three years will allow presentation Aries Arditi, PhD, Vice-President for Vision
of an updated version at the VISION-2002 Science, Lighthouse International, New York,
conference and at future tri-annual conferences Co-chair, Scientific Committee for the
thereafter. Vision-99 Conference
The assessment of young children and multiply Ian Bailey, OD, Director of Low Vision, School
handicapped individuals is another area where of Optometry, University of California -
more extensive guidelines may be developed for Berkeley
VISION-2002. Eleanor Faye, MD, Consultant, Lighthouse
International Center for Vision and Aging,
SOURCES New York
The GUIDE is based on current concepts and Donald Fletcher, MD, Past-Chair, Low Vision
insights and conforms to the Rehabilitation Committee, American
Academy of Ophthalmology
Classification of Vision Loss as found in ICD-9-
CM (code 369) (1978), based on the Lea Hyvärinen, MD, Vision Rehabilitation
recommendations of the World Health Specialist, Helsinki, Finland
Organization (WHO) and the International Alan Johnston, PhD, Low Vision Researcher,
Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) University of Melbourne
International Classification of Impairments, Robert Massof, PhD, Director, Low Vision
Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH), by the Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins
World Health Organization (WHO) (1980) University, Baltimore, MD
and its replacement (ICIDH-2) (in
preparation) Anne L. Corn, Ed.D, Professor of Special
Education, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
Visual Acuity Measurement Standard (1984)
of the International Council of Mary Warren, OT, Low vision Rehabilitation
Ophthalmology (ICO) Specialist, Kansas City, MO
Standard # 8596 – Visual Acuity testing (1994)
of the International Standards Organization RELATION to the AMA GUIDES
(ISO) The purpose of PART 2 and PART 3 of this
GUIDE is similar to that of the AMA Guides for
the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

However, the scales in this GUIDE differ from other than visual acuity and visual field. (See the
those presented in the 4th edition (1993) of the list on page 4).
Vision chapter of the AMA Guides.
Neither have standardized scales been developed
A new Guide was needed since the Vision section for the various activities that constitute functional
in the 4th edition of the AMA Guides is still based vision (see Part 4). Such scales are needed for the
on employability studies from 1925 and has proper assessment of rehabilitation needs.
accumulated multiple internal inconsistencies over
The GUIDE does not address the assessment of
the course of multiple revisions. These
children and multi-handicapped individuals.
differences are discussed in PART 5 of this
GUIDE. Finally, this GUIDE shows some bias towards
th conditions in the United States, since detailed
The next, 5 edition of the AMA Guides, which is
comparisons of assessment methods in other
presently in preparation and is expected to be
counties were not readily available.
published in 2000, is expected to conform to the
scales in this GUIDE. In the mean time, the It is hoped that the publication of this GUIDE will
scales presented in this GUIDE could be stimulate others to contribute their experiences
combined with the evaluation guides for other and promote continued development in each of
organ systems in the 4th edition of the AMA the mentioned areas. The next three years will
Guides, when this is desirable. hopefully see continued development of
standardized performance scales and assessment
practices. When such scales have been
ASSESSMENT of CHILDREN
developed, a new, updated revision of this GUIDE
This GUIDE is primarily directed at acquired may be possible for presentation at the next
vision loss in adults. Special consideration needs International Low Vision conference: VISION-
to be given to the assessment of vision in young 2002. Publication of further updates may thus
children and in multi-handicapped individuals. become a standard feature of future tri-annual
conferences
Preferred-Looking tests and Grating acuity tests
are detection tests and may significantly over-
estimate the equivalent letter chart acuity, which
is a recognition task related to reading. Vision
loss in young children may also be a cause of Comments, suggestions and contributions
secondary developmental delays, due to (including comparisons to various national
insufficient visual input and communication. This standards) are requested and should be submitted
can be even more pronounced when several to:
problems interact in multi-handicapped August Colenbrander, MD
individuals. California Pacific Medical Center
P.O. Box 7999
ENDORSEMENTS San Francisco, CA 94120
In addition to incorporation in the upcoming Voice-mail: 415-923-3905
edition of the AMA Guides, endorsements for this E-mail: gus @ ski.org
GUIDE are being sought from various national Fax: 415-923-3945
and international organizations.
Such endorsements will be included in future
printings.

UPDATES
This Guide reflects current standards. This means
that it is deficient for aspects of visual impairment

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

PART 1 – OVERVIEW

ASPECTS OF VISION LOSS The first two aspects refer to the organ system.
The first aspect is that of anatomical and structural
The description of visual functions and functional
changes. Defects are described as diseases,
vision can be approached from various points of
disorders or injuries. The second aspect is that of
view. To understand the differences between
functional changes at the organ level. Defects are
these points of view, this GUIDE will use as a described as impairments. The next two aspects
conceptual framework the four aspects of refer to the individual. One aspect describes the
functional loss that were first introduced in the
skills and abilities of the individual. Defects are
WHO Classification of Impairments, Disabilities described as dis-abilities. The last aspect points to
and Handicaps. The aspects are distinct, although
the social and economic consequences of loss of
different publications may use slightly different abilities. Defects are described as handicaps.
terms. Some terms are summarized in Table 1.

TABLE 1 – ASPECTS of VISION LOSS

THE ORGAN THE PERSON

ASPECTS: Structural change, Functional change at Skills, Abilities of the Social, Economic
Anatomical change the Organ level individual Consequences
Neutral terms: Health Condition Organ Function Skills, Abilities Social Participation
Loss, Limitation Disorder, Injury Impairment Disability Handicap

ICIDH-80: Disorder Impairment Disability Handicap

ICIDH-2: Structural change Functional change, Activity + Participation +
(see part 4) Impairment Performance code Performance code
"visual functions" "functional vision"
Application to measured described
VISION: quantitatively qualitatively
E.g.: Visual Acuity E.g.: Reading ability

For this GUIDE, the impairment and (dis-)ability cannot. The term "functional vision" is often
aspects are most important. The term “visual used to refer to visual abilities.
functions” is used often to refer to the impairment
A statement such as "the patient can read
aspect. Most visual functions (visual acuity,
newsprint (1M, J#6)" describes a level of
visual field, etc.) can be assessed quantitatively
functional vision. It tells us that the patient can
and expressed in measurement units relative to a
meet an important daily need. It does not tell us
measurement standard. They are usually
how well or with what help the patient can do this.
measured for each eye separately. Abilities
A statement such as "the patient can read 1M at
(reading ability, orientation ability, etc.), on the
50 cm" describes the measurement of a visual
other hand, refer to the person, not to the eye.
function, in this case, visual acuity.
Although some aspects, such as reading speed,
can be readily quantified, other aspects, such as Note that eye care professionals typically describe
reading comprehension and reading enjoyment the severity of a case in terms of impairment of

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

visual function ("visual acuity has dropped by two ability can interfere significantly with many
lines"). The patient, on the other hand, will Activities of Daily Living (ADL). It is often,
usually couch the complaint in terms of loss of an but not always, associated with a loss of
ability ("Doctor, I am not able to read anymore"). visual acuity.
This GUIDE provides means to derive an ability • Glare sensitivity (veiling glare), delayed
estimate, based on an impairment measurement. Glare recovery, Photophobia (light
Such estimates can be useful for certain purposes. sensitivity) and reduced or delayed Light and
However, they should never be mistaken for a Dark Adaptation are other functions that
direct description of the skill or ability. They may interfere with proper contrast perception.
certainly do not replace a direct assessment of the
actual impacts of various impairments on the • Color vision defects are not uncommon, but
participation of the individual in activities at usually do not interfere significantly with
home, at work, at school or elsewhere (the Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Severe
handicap and participation aspect). color vision defects (achromatopsia) are
usually accompanied by reduced visual
Measuring and rating the impairment is the task of acuity. In some vocational settings the impact
the eye care professional. When combined with a of minor color vision deficiencies can be
professional statement about the diagnosis of the significant.
underlying condition and its prognosis, the long-
term impact of the condition can be estimated. • Binocularity, Stereopsis, Suppression,
Such estimates can be helpful for decisions Diplopia. These functions vary in their effect
involving disability compensation. The latter on Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Their
decisions are administrative decisions, which significance often depends on the
generally are not in the domain of the eye care environment and on vocational demands.
professional. To-date, standardized measurement techniques
upon which uniform standardized scales can be
based have not yet been developed for all of these
ASSESSMENT of VISUAL FUNCTIONS
functions. Therefore, and because their impact
PART 2 of this GUIDE provides guidelines and may vary according to the environment, we
scales for the assessment of: recommend that their impact – if significant – be
documented separately and handled as an
• Visual Acuity – the ability to perceive details
individual adjustment to the (dis-)ability estimate,
presented with good contrast, and
as described in Part 3.
• Visual Field – the ability to simultaneously This recommendation may change in future
perceive visual information from various parts editions, if standardized measurements and
of the environment. standardized ability estimates become available.
Measurement techniques for these aspects have
been well established and standardized. Losses in
these functions have well-recognized effects on ASSESSMENT of FUNCTIONAL VISION
Activities of Daily Living (ADL). (In this Whereas visual functions refer to the functioning
GUIDE the term ADL is used to include of each eye, functional vision refers to the
Orientation and Mobility as well as Educational functioning of the individual. Most visual
and Vocational activities. The term vision “loss” functions can be measured adequately on well-
is used to include congenital defects.) developed and broadly accepted scales. For
The GUIDE does NOT provide guidelines and functional vision, such scales do not yet exist.
scales for numerous other visual functions, such Thus, the assessment of functional vision can take
as: place in one of two modes:
• Contrast Sensitivity – the ability to perceive • An ability estimate can be made, based on
larger objects of poor contrast. Loss of this the measured visual functions. This GUIDE

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

provides scales for this purpose. The use of disability benefits and similar applications. The
these scales has the advantage that the scales in the AMA Guides are presented as
outcome is based on measurements that are disability scales (i.e. described as % of loss); the
fairly objective and should be reproducible. It underlying formulas, however, are based on
has the disadvantage that it is only an estimate ability scales.
and that individual factors are ignored.
This GUIDE recommends the use of ABILITY
• A direct description of the ability. This scales. For individual cases, an ability scale can
approach has the advantage that individual document a drop from above normal to normal
factors can be acknowledged. It has the performance (from >100 to 100). For disability
disadvantage that the disability descriptors compensation, a loss is generally not considered
may be more subjectively tinted and that there until the performance drops below the standard
may be greater variation between observers. (i.e. below 100).
A hybrid approach, recommended in this GUIDE, A disability scale is obtained by subtracting the
is to use the ability estimate as a starting point ability value from 100.
and to make individual adjustments if needed.
Individual adjustments, when made, require well-
documented observations and proper arguments to ABILITY PROFILES
support the need for the adjustments. The A global ability estimate, expressed as a single
documentation should be such that other number, may be convenient for administrative
reviewers can repeat the observations, if needed. purposes, and as an outcome measure for medical
interventions.
USE OF SCALES For rehabilitative efforts, which typically do not
change the underlying impairment, the
PART 3 of this GUIDE discusses scales that can impairment aspect is the starting point. To plan
be used to convert a measured impairment value rehabilitative interventions and to assess their
to an estimate of functional vision. Such scales effectiveness, more detailed descriptions and
can either count up or count down. direct assessments of various visual abilities
• An ability scale stresses the importance of before and after intervention are necessary.
remaining function. On such a scale, “0” will PART 4 of this GUIDE discusses how ability
indicate no appreciable function and “100” profiles could be used for this purpose. This part
will indicate normal or standard function. contains only suggestions, since standardized
The scale can be extended beyond “100” to scales for this purpose have not yet emerged. The
indicate better than normal function. E.g. on a activity and participation scales of ICIDH-2 may
reading ability scale, a score >100 could refer provide a stimulus for such development.
to speed-reading ability; on a running ability
scale, an Olympic athlete would score >100. The Handicap and Participation aspects assess the
social context, human rights and equal
This type of scale stresses that “the glass is half- opportunity aspects of vision loss. A detailed
full”. It is the preferred scale for rehabilitation. discussion of these aspects is beyond the scope of
• A dis-ability scale stresses what has been lost this GUIDE.
(or never attained in congenital defects). On
this scale “0” indicates normal function; a
COMPARISONS
score of “100” indicates that no appreciable
ability is left. Better than normal performance PART 5 of this GUIDE discusses the relation of
(the speed-reader or the Olympic athlete) this GUIDE to the 4th edition of the AMA Guides
finds no place on this scale. and to ICIDH-2.
This type of scale stresses that “the glass is half- It also provides a bibliography of some of the
empty”. It can be useful for calculation of relevant literature.

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

PART 2 – ASSESSMENT OF VISUAL FUNCTIONS

VISUAL ACUITY ASSESSMENT Visual Acuity Ranges

Visual Acuity describes the ability of the eye to Visual acuity values can vary widely. To
perceive details. This ability is important for facilitate discussion, it is useful to sub-divide the
many Activities of Daily Living (ADL), the most visual acuity scale into a number of ranges. At
prominent of which is reading. The time-honored one end of the scale are those with normal vision,
clinical way to determine visual acuity is through at the other end are those who are blind, i.e. those
a letter recognition task. If the subject needs who have no vision at all. In between, are those
letters that are twice as large or twice as close as who have lost part of their vision. This group is
those needed by a standard eye (i.e. 2x angular said to have Low Vision. Further subdivisions
magnification), the visual acuity is said to be within this group can be made to distinguish those
“1/2”. If letters are needed that are five times who have lost a little from those who have little
larger or five times closer, the visual acuity is said left.
to be “1/5”, etc. Recognition of the fact that there is a Low Vision
range and that the population in this range has
Visual Acuity Notations needs and problems that are different from those
who are normally sighted as well as from those
Visual acuity fractions compare the subject’s who are totally blind, has grown gradually,
performance to a performance standard. In a true especially after World War II. Various studies by
Snellen fraction, the numerator indicates the the World Health Organization (WHO) led to the
testing distance (i.e. the distance at which the adoption of the visual acuity ranges shown in
subject recognizes the symbol) and the Table 2. Each of these ranges covers four lines
denominator indicates the letter size (expressed as on a visual acuity chart with the standard
the distance at which a standard eye recognizes geometric progression of letter sizes. The WHO,
the symbol). If metric measurements are used, the with the support of the International Council of
test distance is expressed in meters (symbol “m”) Ophthalmology (ICO), introduced these ranges in
and the letter size in “M-units” (symbol “M”). ICD-9 (1978), whereas prior editions of the ICD
One M-unit (1.45 mm) subtends 5’ at 1 meter. had only made a dichotomous distinction between
True Snellen fractions indicate the test distance, “sighted” and “blind” individuals. The ranges are
but make it difficult to compare measurements part of ICD-9-CM, the official U.S. Health Care
taken at different distances. Snellen equivalents classification.
are often used to overcome this difficulty; they
indicate the value of the Snellen fraction but hide Visual Acuity Measurement
the actual testing distance. Decimal equivalents for Normal and Near-normal vision
(often used in Europe) indicate the decimal value
of the Snellen fraction (e.g. 6/30 = 0.2, 5/25 = Distance acuity for individuals in the range of
0.2). Although the U.S. notation (20/…) looks normal and near-normal vision (0.3, 20/60 or
like a Snellen fraction, it is most often used as a better), is measured with the familiar letter charts
Snellen equivalent, i.e. a 20/40 fraction is not or projector charts. These charts offer several test
generally interpreted as indicating that the actual characters for each acuity level in this range. Test
measurement was taken at 20 feet. This is distances vary from 20 ft (common in the U.S.), to
especially true for projector tests, which can be 6 m (common in Britain), to 5 m (common in
adjusted for any available test distance. Europe), to 4 m (used for the ETDRS charts), to
3 m (often used for children whose attention
In accordance with its intended international use,
diminishes with greater test distances), to 1 m
this GUIDE will generally use both U.S. and
(recommended for the Low Vision range). Snellen
decimal notations. Table 2 provides equivalents fractions for these distances are found in Table 2.
for various other Snellen fractions.

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

TABLE 2 – VISUAL ACUITY RANGES and VISUAL ACUITY NOTATIONS for Distance vision

ICD-9-CM RANGES EQUIVALENT TRUE SNELLEN FRACTIONS VISUAL

WHO / ICO NOTATIONS (numerator indicates test distance) ACUITY
CLASSIFICATION Decimal US 10 ft. 1m 3.2 m 4m 5m 6.3 m SCORE

Range of 1.6 20/12.5 10/6.3 1/0.63 3/2 4/2.5 5/3.2 6/4 110
Normal 1.25 20/16 10/8 1/0.8 3/2.5 4/3 5/4 6/5 105
(Near-) Vision 1.0 20/20 10/10 1/1 3/3.2 4/4 5/5 6/6.3 100
0.8 20/25 10/12.5 1/1.25 3/4 4/5 5/6.3 6/8 95
Normal
Vision Near- 0.63 20/32 10/16 1/1.6 3/5 4/6.3 5/8 6/10 90
Normal 0.5 20/40 10/20 1/2 3/6.3 4/8 5/10 6/12.5 85
Vision 0.4 20/50 10/25 1/2.5 3/8 4/10 5/12.5 6/16 80
0.32 20/63 10/32 1/3.2 3/10 4/12.5 5/16 6/20 75
Moderate 0.25 20/80 10/40 1/4 3/12.5 4/16 5/20 6/25 70
Low 0.20 20/100 10/50 1/5 3/16 4/20 5/25 6/32 65
Vision 0.16 20/125 10/63 1/6.3 3/20 4/25 5/32 6/40 60
0.125 20/160 10/80 1/8 3/25 4/32 5/40 6/50 55
Low Severe 0.10 20/200 10/100 1/10 3/32 4/40 5/50 6/63 50
Low 0.08 20/250 10/125 1/12.5 3/40 4/50 5/63 6/80 45
Vision 0.063 20/320 10/160 1/16 3/50 4/63 5/80 6/100 40
Vision
0.05 20/400 10/200 1/20 3/63 4/80 5/100 6/125 35
Profound 0.04 20/500 10/250 1/25 3/80 4/100 5/125 6/160 30
Low 0.03 20/630 10/320 1/32 3/100 4/125 5/160 6/200 25
Vision 0.025 20/800 10/400 1/40 3/125 4/160 5/200 6/250 20
0.02 20/1000 10/500 1/50 3/160 4/200 5/250 6/320 15
0.016 20/1250 10/630 1/63 3/200 4/250 5/320 6/400 10
Near- 0.0125 20/1600 10/800 1/80 3/250 4/320 5/400 6/500 5
(Near-) Blindness 0.01 20/2000 10/1000 1/100 3/320 4/400 5/500 6/630 0
Blindness --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Total No Light Perception
Blindness

NOTE regarding the use of “Preferred Numbers”:

The tables in this GUIDE use the values of the “Preferred Numbers” series, specified in ISO standard # 3. This geometric
progression of numbers is widely used in international standards. Ten steps equal exactly 10x, so that the same numbers repeat
in each decimal interval, with only a shift in the decimal position. Each step equals a ratio of 4/5. Three steps equal a 2x ratio.
The product or quotient of two preferred numbers is again a preferred number. Thus, if viewing distances and prints sizes follow
the preferred numbers series, all resulting quotients (the visual acuity values) will also be preferred numbers.
For the design of tests and for research measurements, the design values (error <1%) should be used, as was done in this table.
For the naming of visual acuity levels in clinical use rounded values (error <5%) are acceptable. The largest error when using
rounded values amounts to one letter on a standard chart with 5 letters/row, which is well within the clinical measurement error.
Design values: 0.8 1.0 1.25 1.6 2.0 2.5 3.2 4.0 5.0 6.3 8.0 10.0 12.5 … etc.
Rounded values: 0.8 1 1.2 1.5 2 2.5 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 … etc.
Examples: The table lists the decimal acuity value 0.63; clinicians will generally record 0.6. The table lists the U.S. acuity value
20/32; clinicians will generally record 20/30. Using Preferred Numbers, the ideal measurement distances would include 3.2 and
6.3 meters. The table has already rounded these to 3 and 6 in the numerator of the corresponding Snellen fractions.

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

When measuring letter chart acuity, the patient It is important to maintain the correct testing
should be placed at the distance for which the distance. This can best be done with a ruler or
chart was designed and encouraged to read as far with a 1-meter cord attached to the chart. Charts
down as possible. If errors are made, the line is with a cord attached and labeled for the 1-meter
considered read when more-than-half of the testing are available.
characters (e.g. 3 of 5) are read correctly. Most
If charts with metric Snellen notations for other
charts will indicate the visual acuity level that
distances are used, the numerator should be
corresponds to the ability to read each line. If the
changed to “1”, as indicated in the previous
visual acuity is not indicated, or if the chart is
section. U.S. notations should first be converted
used at a different distance, the visual acuity
to metric notations as shown in Table 2.
should be recorded as a Snellen fraction. In this
fraction, the numerator will indicate the viewing Many reading cards are not well suited for the
distance in meters and the denominator the metric Low Vision range either. They often do not
letter size rating (M-units on newer charts, D=… present large enough print sizes and/or are labeled
on older charts). for viewing distances that are too far for the
subject with Low Vision.
Near-vision can be tested with a variety of charts,
containing either a reduced size letter chart or As is the case for distance testing, near vision
continuous text segments in various print sizes. testing requires the specification of two variables:
For the evaluation of functional vision, the use of letter size and viewing distance. A statement that
continuous text is more appropriate than the use of lists only the letter size is insufficient to determine
letters. Each chart should indicate the distance at the visual acuity value. Distance equivalents,
which it should be used. These distances may listed on many cards, are a useful shortcut, but
vary from 40 cm (16”) to 14” (35 cm) to 33 cm only if the card is used at the designated distance.
(13”) to 30 cm (12”) or even 25 cm (10”). Most It is utterly confusing to use them if the card is
charts will indicate a distance acuity equivalent used at any other distance.
for each line. These equivalents are valid only if Table 3 shows visual acuity values for any
the correct distance is used. If the distance combination of letter size and viewing distance.
equivalent is not listed or if the card is used at a The visual acuity values in Table 3 are expressed
different distance, the visual acuity should be as the equivalent values for 1-meter testing (1/…).
calculated as explained in the next section. Equivalents for other distances can be obtained by
multiplying numerator and denominator by the
Visual Acuity Measurement same amount (see Table 2).
in the Low Vision range The viewing distance should be measured and
Use of this GUIDE will often involve individuals recorded carefully. It can be specified in cm or
whose visual acuity has dropped to less than 0.3 inches (1 inch = 2.5 cm, 1 meter = 40”), using the
(20/60), i.e. to the Low Vision range (ICD-9- standard Snellen fraction: V = m / M. When
CM). visual acuity and distance are itself fractions, it is
more convenient to use their reciprocals. The
Standard letter charts often have only one or two reciprocal of a metric distance is known as the
letters at the 0.2 (20/100) level, no letters at the diopter (2 diopters = 1/2 m, 5D = 1/5 m, etc.).
0.16 (20/125) and 0.12 (20/160) level, and only Use of the reciprocal values turns the Snellen
one letter at the 0.1 (20/200) level. This means fraction into a multiplication, which is more easily
that they are inadequate for visual acuity calculated, since it uses whole numbers instead of
measurement in the Low Vision range. Better fractions within fractions. The traditional formula
results can be obtained by bringing the chart V = m / M thus becomes:
closer. Testing at 1 meter can cover the entire M 1
Low Vision range, down to 0.02 (1/50, 20/1000). 1 / V = ---- = M x ---- = M x D
When testing at 1 meter, the resulting Snellen m m
fraction is 1/… . (M = letter size in M-units, m = viewing distance
in meters, D = viewing distance in diopters,).

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

Table 3 – Letter Size, Viewing Distance, Visual Acuity Score and Visual Acuity

Viewing Distance (glass es to text, not valid fo r magnifiers)

ICD-9-CM
Letter 5cm 6.3cm 8cm 10cm 12.5cm 16cm 20cm 25cm 32cm 40cm 50cm 100 cm
Size 2” 2.5” 3.2” 4” 5” 6.3” 8” 10” 12.5” 16” 20” 40”
20 D 16 D 12.5D 10 D 8D 6.3 D 5D 4D 3.2 D 2.5 D 2D 1D
3.2p 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 120

Above
N=3.2 0.4 M 1/8 1/6.3 1/5 1/4 1/3.2 1/2.5 1/2 1/1.6 1/1.25 1/1 1/0.8 1/0.4
4p 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 115
N=4 0.5 M 1/10 1/8 1/6.3 1/5 1/4 1/3.2 1/2.5 1/2 1/1.6 1/1.25 1/1 1/0.5
5p 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 110
N=5 0.63M

Normal range
1/12.5 1/10 1/8 1/6.3 1/5 1/4 1/3.2 1/2.5 1/2 1/1.6 1/1.25 1/0.63
63p 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 105
N=63 0.8 M 1/16 1/12.5 1/10 1/8 1/6.3 1/5 1/4 1/3.2 1/2.5 1/2 1/1.6 1/0.8
8p 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 100
N=8 1M 1/20 1/16 1/12.5 1/10 1/8 1/6.3 1/5 1/4 1/3.2 1/2.5 1/2 1/1
10p 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 95
N=10 1.25M
1/25 1/20 1/16 1/12.5 1/10 1/8 1/6.3 1/5 1/4 1/3.2 1/2.5 1/1.25
12p 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 90
N=12 1.6 M 1/32 1/25 1/20 1/16 1/12.5 1/10 1/8 1/6.3 1/5 1/4 1/3.2 1/1.6

Near-normal
16p 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 85
N=16 2M 1/40 1/32 1/25 1/20 1/16 1/12.5 1/10 1/8 1/6.3 1/5 1/4 1/2
20p 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 80
N=20 2.5 M 1/50 1/40 1/32 1/25 1/20 1/16 1/12.5 1/10 1/8 1/6.3 1/5 1/2.5
25p 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 75
N=25 3.2 M 1/63 1/50 1/40 1/32 1/25 1/20 1/16 1/12.5 1/10 1/8 1/6.3 1/3.2
32p 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 70
N=32 4M

Moderate L.V.
1/80 1/63 1/50 1/40 1/32 1/25 1/20 1/16 1/12.5 1/10 1/8 1/4
40p 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 65
N=40 5M 1/100 1/80 1/63 1/50 1/40 1/32 1/25 1/20 1/16 1/12.5 1/10 1/5
50p -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 60
N=50 6.3 M 1/125 1/100 1/80 1/63 1/50 1/40 1/32 1/25 1/20 1/16 1/12.5 1/6.3
63p -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 55
N=63 8M 1/160 1/125 1/100 1/80 1/63 1/50 1/40 1/32 1/25 1/20 1/16 1/8
80p -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 50 Low Vision
N=80 10 M 1/200 1/160 1/125 1/100 1/80 1/63 1/50 1/40 1/32 1/25 1/20 1/10
100p -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 45
N=100 12.5M 1/250 1/200 1/160 1/125 1/100 1/80 1/63 1/50 1/40 1/32 1/25 1/12.5

Near-total Visual Acuity Loss Profound Low Vision Severe

Instructions
To find the optimal combination of reading distance and letter size, start at the reading distance which
corresponds to the subject’s reading add or accommodative power. Increase the reading add (reduce the
reading distance) to reach smaller print. Using this table, find the visual acuity (1-meter value) at the
intersection of the letter size row and the reading distance column. The Visual Acuity Score (large
numbers) will be explained in Part 3.
The visual acuity values demonstrate the use of the modified Snellen formula: 1/V = M x D.
If M = 1 (bold row) then 1/V = D (also known as Kestenbaum’s rule); if D = 1 (bold column) then 1/V = M
(same column values as in Table 2).

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

Letter sizes are best specified in M-units (1 M- reduced size letter chart or with continuous text.
unit = 1.454 mm = about 1/16”), the same unit as When the objective is to obtain an estimate of
used for letter charts and distance testing. retinal function, the use of a reduced letter chart is
acceptable. When the objective is the assessment
Other letter size notations do not allow convenient
of functional vision – as is the assumption for this
comparisons to distance vision and are notorious
GUIDE – continuous text reading should be
for inconsistent implementation on various cards.
tested. Because of this difference, it is clearer to
Letter sizes expressed in Printer’s points can specify letter chart acuity and reading acuity,
vary for different typeface designs by almost one rather than just distance acuity and near acuity.
letter chart line. For average lower case print
Under most circumstances letter acuity and
1 M-unit equals about 8 points. The point
reading acuity – if measured appropriately and
designation does not allow a comparison with
with the proper refractive correction – will be
distance vision. In Britain the notation N = … is
similar. However, when measuring letter acuity,
used to refer to printer’s points.
subjects are usually pushed for threshold or
Jaeger numbers refer to the labels on the boxes marginal performance, whereas reading tests may
in the printing house in Vienna where Jaeger aim at a level of comfortable performance. For
selected his print samples. They have no this reason, the magnification requirement for
numerical value and cannot be used to calculate a reading acuity may be somewhat greater than that
visual acuity value. for letter acuity. The difference is known as the
The distance equivalents, listed on many cards, “magnification reserve”, needed for reading
cannot be used to indicate letter sizes either. The fluency.
diagonal bands in Table 3 demonstrate that the If significant differences between reading acuity
same acuity value can apply to many different and letter chart acuity exist, measurement errors,
letter sizes, depending on the viewing distance. inappropriate refractive correction and/or other
Distance equivalents are valid only if the card is complicating factors must be suspected. The
used at the designated distance. They are utterly nature of these factors needs to be explored. One
confusing for testing done at any other distance. cause might be that the subject uses a small
central island within a ring scotoma for letter
acuity, while using a larger, more eccentric area
Correction of refractive error for reading.
Whenever visual acuity is tested, care should be PART 4 of this GUIDE will discuss how letter
taken that the patient’s refractive correction is chart acuity and reading acuity ratings can be
appropriate for the testing distance. This is combined. If no separate measurements for
especially true for the short reading distances reading acuity are available, reading acuity should
often used for Low Vision subjects. be assumed to be the same as letter chart acuity.
When visual acuity is mentioned without further
specification, it is usually assumed that it has been
measured with the optimal refractive correction; Monocular vs. Binocular Acuity
this is referred to as “best corrected” acuity. For a functional evaluation, visual acuity should
Measuring the reading distance in diopters has the be measured for each eye separately as well as
advantage of easy comparison to the reading binocularly, since binocular viewing represents
addition. Diopter rulers are part of any phoropter the most common viewing condition in daily life.
and are also available separately. Under most circumstance, best-corrected visual
acuity measured binocularly will be determined
by the acuity of the better eye. There are
Near acuity vs. Distance acuity exceptions, however. Patients with latent
(Reading vs. Letter Chart Acuity) nystagmus may have better eye stability and
Distance acuity is usually measured with a letter hence better acuity when viewing binocularly than
chart. Near acuity may be measured with a when one eye is occluded. Some patients with

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

diplopia or with distortions in one eye may see VISUAL FIELD ASSESSMENT
better when the poorer eye is occluded.
Visual acuity measurement describes the function
of one small central retinal area that has the
Realistic Conditions highest resolving power. Visual field
The evaluation of visual functions should be measurement, on the other hand, seeks to describe
based on the function obtained under optimal the function of the entire, central and peripheral
conditions. An exception can be made, however, retina and the lateral extent of vision. Visual field
when the best possible conditions are not feasible findings are complex since they must ideally
in daily life. Examples might include: describe the sensitivity for a variety of stimuli at
each peripheral point. Even though in practice
A patient would see better with contact lenses, only a limited number of points is tested with a
but cannot tolerate contact lenses. limited number of stimuli, one must bear in mind
A patient with a large inter-ocular difference that reducing this complex array of findings to a
in refractive error cannot tolerate full correction single number – as will be done in Part 3 of this
of both eyes. GUIDE – represents a significant over-
A patient can achieve better acuity with an simplification.
extremely high or low illumination level, that
cannot be achieved under daily living conditions Various testing modes can be used. The
or in the workplace. following list is not exhaustive.

Under these and similar conditions, the evaluation Confrontation Visual Field
should be based on the measurements obtained This method uses only the examiner’s hands.
under realistic daily living or workplace Seated in front of the subject, the examiner moves
conditions. The reason why the viewing his/her hands from the periphery inward, to test
conditions required for better performance are not for the peripheral field limits. Finger movements
feasible under daily living conditions should be may be used to find gross scotomata. This
documented. method is too gross for evaluation in the context
of this GUIDE, but it provides a quick way to
detect significant abnormalities that may effect the
Tests for young Children and for
subject’s mobility.
Multi-handicapped Individuals
Tangent Screen Testing
The disability estimates in this GUIDE are based
on the determination of letter chart acuity and its This method uses a black screen on which
significance for reading and other adult, detail- variously sized objects may be moved. Prior to
oriented tasks. In these tests, objects must be the advent of standardized testing equipment, this
recognized when surrounded by other objects. It was the most objective way of visual field testing.
should be recognized that recognition of single, The original definition of “legal blindness” in the
isolated letters, as often used for young children, U.S.A. was based on the use of a 1 cm white
does not represent the same task, and can object, presented at 1 meter. The problems of this
overestimate visual acuity significantly. method are that it is hard to standardize the
illumination level and that the actual testing
Testing of Grating acuity and Preferred Looking
distance increases as the target moves towards the
tests are further simplifications that can lead to
further overestimation. When used in young, pre- periphery. Beyond 45° the measurements loose
verbal children with possibly incomplete visual accuracy.
development, further caution is warranted. Goldmann-type testing
When testing multi-handicapped individuals, a The Goldmann visual field equipment provided
further distinction must be made whether failure the first standardized measurement technique. For
to perform reflects a failure to see, or a failure to many decades it was considered the “gold
respond. standard”. Testing is done in a bowl, so that all

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

testing distances are equal while the background Macular Perimetry

and stimulus luminances can be tightly controlled.
The advent of the Scanning Laser
The usual mode of testing is known as kinetic
perimetry, since a test stimulus of constant size Ophthalmoscope (SLO) has made it possible to
and intensity is moved by an operator. The use of present stimuli under direct control of the macular
image. This type of testing has provided
an operator introduces the potential for operator
important information about the effects of para-
bias, but has the advantage that certain areas of
foveal scotomata and about the use of eccentric
interest can be explored in more detail.
viewing in patients with macular degeneration or
The test results are reported as “isopters”, contour macular scars. By itself it is not sufficient for a
lines that outline the areas where stimuli of functional field evaluation, since it does not test
various intensity can be perceived. The functional peripheral vision.
implications of certain isopter patterns are
relatively easy to interpret. Agencies (such as the Monocular vs. Binocular fields
Social Security Administration in the U.S.A.) often Since intact visual field areas in one eye may
require Goldmann type testing for eligibility compensate for field loss in the other eye, the
determinations. binocular field of view may be substantially better
Automated Perimetry than the field of view of either eye alone.
Therefore, considering both monocular and
In recent decades, there has been a move from binocular function is even more important for a
manual to automated perimetry. (Commonly used functional assessment of the field of vision than it
equipment includes Humphrey, Octopus, Dicon is for visual acuity.
and other brands.) Since kinetic perimetry is not
easily automated, this move has been Direct testing of the binocular visual field presents
problems, however. Binocular testing of the
accompanied by a move to static perimetry. In
central field might be possible on a tangent screen
static perimetry (which is possible, but quite
at 1 m or 2 m. Binocular testing of the peripheral
laborious in the manual mode), the stimulus size
visual field in the standard bowl perimeter is not
and intensity are varied, while presentation is
limited to various fixed locations. The sensitivity possible, since the fixation monitoring devices
found in each point can be presented in a matrix will not work when the head, rather than the eye,
is centered. Secondly, the small bowl diameter
of numbers, or as a gray scale pattern with
would require a significant amount of
interpolation for the points that were not tested.
convergence. This convergence may not occur in
Automated perimetry reports are better suited for the absence of fusional landmarks other than the
automated statistical analysis, but less intuitive for single central fixation mark and cannot be
human interpretation with regard to functional monitored.
vision. It is possible to convert the plots to an
For the purposes of this GUIDE, it is
isopter representation, but doubts have been
recommended that the fields of each eye are
voiced whether these are always equivalent, since
measured separately and that an estimate of the
the perception of moving stimuli sometimes
differs from that of static stimuli (referred to as binocular visual field is derived from the
static-kinetic dissociation). superimposition of the two monocular field plots.

While it is possible to test up to 60° from the

center, most automated clinical tests are limited to
the central 30°, since this is the most interesting
area for medical diagnostic purposes. For the
functional assessment of visual field loss,
however, testing to 60° or beyond is necessary.

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

PART 3 – ESTIMATING FUNCTIONAL VISION

BY CALCULATING ABILITY ESTIMATES

THE USE OF ABILITY ESTIMATES • Combining the scores from each eye to derive
the Functional Vision Score as a global
A true assessment of functional vision should be
visual ability estimate for the person.
based on direct observation of how well various
vision-related activities can be preformed. • Making individual adjustments, if needed, for
Unfortunately, there is no consensus, as yet, about significant factors that are not reflected in the
which activities should be assessed and how they above calculations.
should be scored.
In parallel with these calculations, the diagnosis
For administrative purposes (such as the and prognosis of the condition should be
assignment of disability benefits) it is often reported. This involves medical judgements,
desirable to reduce the complexity of a full which are beyond the scope of this GUIDE.
assessment to a single number that provides a
The next step may involve using the above
global estimate of the resulting visual ability.
information to establish Disability Benefits.
This part of the GUIDE will discuss how such This is an administrative step, which is also
estimates can be made. It will discuss: beyond the scope of this GUIDE.
• The development of a General Ability Scale. It should be recognized that ability estimates
necessarily represent an over-simplification.
• Using this scale to derive a Functional
They cannot be used to assess the actual need for
Acuity Score and a Functional Field Score.
rehabilitative services.

TABLE 4 – USE OF ABILITY ESTIMATES

THE ORGAN THE PERSON

Structural change, Functional change at the Skills, Abilities of the Social, Economic
Anatomical change Organ level individual Consequences

Impairment measurement Æ Ability Estimate Æ Estimated

Æ long term
Diagnosis Æ Æ Prognosis Æ Æ Impact
Disability Benefits

A GENERAL ABILITY SCALE be created as a point scale on which 0 points

indicates the absence of any ability to perform,
For the assessment of functional vision, scales are
while 100 points indicates normal or standard
needed on which the ability to perform various performance. Such a scale is sometimes referred
activities can be expressed and compared. Since to as a “percentage” scale. It should be clear,
different functions are measured in different units,
however, that the point score in itself is an
such scales cannot be based on any one type of
abstract concept that has no direct mathematical
measurement units.
relationship to any particular measurement unit or
A generalized ability scale that can be applied to percentages thereof. E.g.: a point value of “50”
across various visual and non-visual activities can for a certain visual acuity loss or a certain visual

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

field loss does not imply that half of all vision is • whether performance requires the use of
lost. Neither is the point scale capped at “100” as certain adaptive aids or devices,
a percentage scale would be. The point scale can • whether the emphasis is on aids that enhance
and does extend beyond 100 to indicate better the residual function, or on aids and
than standard performance. techniques that substitute another function for
The ability scale must be divided into ranges, as the impaired function.
was done for the visual acuity and visual field These considerations result in the set of ranges
scales in PART 2. The number of ranges should indicated in Table 5. These ranges can be
be practical; two ranges (E.g. ‘can do’ vs. ‘can’t conveniently converted to a 100-point scale by
do’) would be too simplistic, while a dozen ranges assigning 20 points to each range.
would make the scale too cumbersome.
To develop a set of ability ranges, one may These ranges are the basis for the ranges of vision
consider: loss in this GUIDE and in ICD-9-CM.
• whether performance of the task is near-
normal, restricted, or impossible,

TABLE 5 – GENERAL ABILITY RANGES

RANGE PERFORMANCE / ABILITY POINT TYPE of AIDS for

descriptors RANGES SCORE REHABILITATION
Above normal Exceptional ability >100
Normal Has reserves 100 + 10 No aids required
Normal or
Mild loss Near-normal Lost reserves 80 + 10
performance
Moderate Loss Needs aids 60 + 10 Enhancement aids

Severe Loss Restricted with aids 40 + 10 Enhancement aids

Restricted
Profound Loss performance Marginal with aids 20 + 10

(Near-)total Loss (Near-)impossible 0 – 10 Substitution aids

If smaller numbers are preferred, the ability scale can be used as a 10-point scale (see Table 12).
If a scale of ability loss (disability) is preferred, the above scale values can be subtracted from 100.
Ability scale: 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Disability scale: 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 ////////////////////
Note that a disability scale cannot deal with performance that exceeds the standard.

These ranges can be applied to any ability, as is Range of Normal Performance

demonstrated in the following discussion with Most human functions have a reserve capacity;
examples from the mobility and locomotion E.g.: the person can run and walk.
domain.
Mild Ability Loss
Exceptional Performance In this range the reserve is lost, but everyday
Some individuals have exceptional abilities. performance is not yet significantly compromised.
E.g.: the person is an Olympic runner. E.g.: the person can walk, but not run.

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Moderate Ability Loss possible if the connection between impairment

In this range the disabling effect can still be and ability were unalterably fixed. Nevertheless,
overcome with appropriate performance some general statements can be made about
enhancing aids. reading performance expected in each visual
E.g.: the person needs the support of a cane. acuity range. The right side of Table 6
Severe Ability Loss demonstrates that these expectations fit well with
In this range performance is below normal and the General Ability Scale, outlined earlier. The
endurance is limited, even with assistive devices. Visual Acuity Score, therefore is a reasonable
E.g.: the person can move with a walker. estimate of acuity related visual abilities.
Substitution skills may be used as an adjunct.
E.g.: the person sometimes uses a wheelchair. VISUAL FIELD SCORES
Profound Ability Loss
In this range, the options for enhancement are The Visual Field Scores (VFS) used for this
limited. Performance must rely equally on GUIDE have been designed to closely parallel the
substitution skills. Visual Acuity Scores (VAS). Significant
E.g.: the person can still move actively by considerations include the following:
using a wheelchair, substituting arm power for • Traditionally, visual acuity loss to 0.1
leg power. (20/200) has been considered equally
Near-total or Total Inability disabling as a visual field loss to a 10° radius.
In this range, the person must rely on substitution Since the visual acuity score for 0.1 (20/200)
skills while the original skills, if any, are is 50 points, the visual field score for the
unreliable and may at most serve as an adjunct. central 10° is also 50 points. This fits well
E.g.: the person must be wheeled around. with the finding that this area corresponds to
about 50% of the primary visual cortex.
VISUAL ACUITY SCORES • ICD-9 and ICD-9-CM define Severe,
Profound and Near-total visual field loss as
The internationally accepted standard for visual concentric restriction to a 10°, 5° and 2.5°
acuity charts requires a chart with proportionally field radius. These categories fit the VFS
spaced lines in a geometric progression (10 steps scale.
= 10x) and 5 letters on each line. This layout was • A complete hemianopia receives a 50 point
introduced by Bailey and Lovie and popularized score. This implies that it is considered
through its use in the Clinical Trials of the equally disabling as a field restriction to a 10°
National Eye Institute. These charts are often radius or a visual acuity loss to 0.1 (20/200).
referred to as ETDRS charts (Early Treatment
Diabetic Retinopathy Study). • Inferior field loss is considered more
disabling than superior field loss.
When using such a chart, it is simple to score the Accordingly, the lower field receives 50%
visual acuity level as the total number of letters more weight than the upper field.
read. This scoring method assigns five points to
The right side of Table 6 provides estimates of
each line. If counting is started at the 0.01
Orientation and Mobility skills. These fit well
(20/2000) level, the score for standard visual
with the General Ability Scale, outlined earlier.
acuity (1.0, 20/20) will be 100. The score can be
The Visual Field Score, therefore is a reasonable
continued beyond that level to account for better
estimate of the field related visual abilities.
than standard performance. In this GUIDE this
scale is referred to as the Visual Acuity Score The VFS scale is implemented by drawing 10
(VAS) for each eye. This score was included in meridians and assigning 10 points to each
Tables 2 and 3 and is repeated in Table 6. meridian. Two meridians are drawn in each of the
upper quadrants and three in each of the lower
The performance of individuals in each visual
quadrants. By avoiding the vertical and horizontal
acuity range may vary, based on training and
meridians the need for special rules for
practice. Indeed, no rehabilitation would be
hemianopias is avoided. See Table 8.

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

TABLE 6 – THE VISUAL ACUITY SCORE (VAS)

ICD-9-CM RANGES EQUIVALENT VISUAL Letter

WHO / ICO NOTATIONS ACUITY recognition ESTIMATED
CLASSIFICATION SCORE can read READING ABILITY
Decimal US 1 M print at
Range of 1.6 20/125 110 160 cm Normal reading speed
Normal 1.25 20/16 105 125 cm Normal reading distance
(Near-) Vision 1.0 20/20 100 100 cm Reserve capacity for small print
0.8 20/25 95 80 cm
Normal
Vision Near- 0.63 20/32 90 63 cm Normal reading speed
Normal 0.5 20/40 85 50 cm Reduced reading distance
Vision 0.4 20/50 80 40 cm No reserve for small print
0.32 20/63 75 32 cm
Moderate 0.25 20/80 70 25 cm Near-normal with reading aids
Low 0.20 20/100 65 20 cm Uses low power magnifier
Vision 0.16 20/125 60 16 cm or large print books
0.125 20/160 55 12 cm
Low Severe 0.10 20/200 50 10 cm Slower than normal
Vision Low 0.08 20/250 45 8 cm with reading aids
Vision 0.06 20/320 40 6 cm Uses high power magnifiers
0.05 20/400 35 5 cm
Profound 0.04 20/500 30 4 cm Marginal with reading aids
Low 0.03 20/630 25 3 cm Uses magnifiers for spot reading,
Vision 0.025 20/800 20 2.5 cm but may prefer talking books
0.02 20/1000 15 2 cm
0.016 20/1250 10 1.6 cm No visual reading
Near- 0.0125 20/1600 5 1.25 cm Must rely on talking books,
(Near-) Blindness 0.01 20/2000 0 1 cm Braille or other non-visual sources
Blindness --- --- -- --
Total No light perception
Blindness

TABLE 7 – CALCULATING the FUNCTIONAL ACUITY SCORE for the PERSON

Snellen values Visual Acuity scores

OD: letter chart acuity: ___ Æ VASOD: ___ x1 = ___
OS: letter chart acuity: ___ Æ VASOS: ___ x1 = ___
OU: letter chart acuity: ___ Æ VASOU: ___ x3 = ___
Add and divide by 4, the resulting value -------------- +, /5
is the Functional Acuity Score (FAS) = ___

Optionally, calculate a Visual Acuity Score for reading acuity (either monocular or binocular,
depending on which is more effective). If the outcome is significantly different from the letter
chart acuity score, document the differences and calculate the average:
FASglobal = ( FASletter chart + FASreading ) / 2

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TABLE 8 – THE VISUAL FIELD SCORE (VFS)

ICD-9-CM RANGES Average VISUAL

WHO / ICO Special radius FIELD ESTIMATED ABILITY
CLASSIFICATION conditions ( if loss is SCORE for Visual Orientation and Mobility
concentric ) (“O+M”) Tasks

Range of 110 Normal Visual Orientation

Normal 105 Normal Mobility skills
(Near-) Vision 60° 100
95
Normal
Vision Near- 50° 90 Normal “O+M” performance
Normal 85 Needs more scanning
Vision Loss of one eye 40° 80 Occasionally surprised by events
75 on the side
Moderate 30° 70 Near-normal performance
Low 65
Vision 20° 60 Requires scanning for obstacles
Lost upper field
55
Low Severe Hemianopia 10° 50 Visual mobility is slower than normal
Vision Low 45 Requires continuous scanning
Vision Lost lower field 8° 40 May use cane as adjunct for detection
35

Profound 6° 30 Must use long cane for detection of

Low 25 obstacles
Vision 4° 20 May use vision as adjunct for identification
15
2° 10 Visual orientation unreliable
Near- 5 Must rely on long cane, hearing,
(Near-) Blindness 0 guide dog, other blind mobility skills
Blindness
Total No visual field
Blindness

The following diagram summarizes the point assignments: 10 10

10 10
• the central 10° represent 50 points
• the left and right hemi-fields represent 50 points each 15 15
• the lower field half represents 60 points 15 15
• the upper field half represents 40 points
To calculate the exact point score, 10 meridians are drawn: two in each of the upper quadrants and three
in each of the lower quadrants. By avoiding the vertical and horizontal meridians the need for special
rules for hemianopias is avoided. 5
Along each meridian, points are assigned: 10 5
1 point per 2° up to a 10° radius, 5
10 5
1 point per 10° beyond a 10° radius.
Thus, a 60° radius will represent 10 points.
The nasal meridians may not reach 60°, 15 5
5 5
but the lateral field will extend further. 15 5
Thus, the average normal field will score about 100 points. 5
5

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

CALCULATION RULES for the In summary:

FUNCTIONAL ACUITY SCORE 1. Determine the best corrected letter chart
acuity (distance acuity) for OD, for OS and
Ideally, best-corrected letter chart acuity should for OU. Use Table 2 or Table 6 to determine
be determined for binocular vision (OU) and for the corresponding Visual Acuity Scores.
the right eye (OD) and left eye (OS) separately. Calculate the person’s Functional Acuity
Various agencies may require this as a minimum. Score as a weighted average:
All measurements should be made using the FAS = ( 3x VASOU + VASOD + VASOS ) / 5
best available refractive correction.
2. If a reliable reading acuity value is available,
Visual acuity measurement should not be
determine the corresponding Visual Acuity
truncated at the 1.0 (20/20) level. It has been Score, using Table 3. The reading acuity
reported that up to age 50 most healthy eyes have
score may be a monocular or a binocular
acuities in the range of 1.5 – 1.25 (20/12 – 20/15),
score, depending on the subject’s preference
up to age 75 most healthy eyes are in the 1.25 –
for actual reading.
1.0 (20/15 – 20/20) range. This is why the VAS is
not truncated at 100 and the ICD-9-CM ranges are 3. If the reading acuity score differs significantly
not truncated at 1.0 (20/20). from the letter acuity score, adjust the
Functional Acuity Score (FAS) to the average
If insufficient data are available – as may be the
of the letter acuity and reading acuity score:
case for calculations from chart review – some
assumptions may be made. Binocular acuity, if FASOD = ( FASletter + FASreading ) / 2
not provided, may be assumed to be equal to the
Provide an explanation why reading and letter
acuity of the better eye. Acuity of the lesser eye,
chart acuity are significantly different
if not provided, should be considered to be equal
to the acuity of the better eye.
Count fingers (CF) and Hand Motions (HM) CALCULATION RULES for the
notations should be avoided, since actual visual FUNCTIONAL FIELD SCORE
acuity measurements can be made with a chart at 1. If Goldmann visual field plots are available,
1 meter. If no better information is available, determine the III4e isopter for each eye.
CF … ft should be interpreted as: … / 200,
CF … m should be interpreted as: … / 60, If only automated visual field plots are available,
HM … ft should be interpreted as: … / 1000, determine a pseudo-isopter by drawing a line
HM … m should be interpreted as: … / 300. surrounding all points with a sensitivity of 10dB
or better, excluding points with <10dB sensitivity.
The Functional Acuity Score (for the person) is
the weighted average of the Visual Acuity Scores 2. Determine a Visual Field Score, using the
for OD, OS and OU. In this calculation the pattern explained in Table 8. This pattern can be
binocular score is given three times the weight of used in several ways.
the monocular scores. See Table 7. 2a Using Paper and Pencil
Determination of reading acuity is optional. If • Starting with a visual field plot of the III4e
binocular reading is possible, this value should be isopter (or equivalent), draw the 10 meridians
used. If binocular reading is not possible the (two in each upper quadrant, three in each
reading acuity score of the eye that is preferred for lower quadrant) at: 25°, 65°, 115°, 155°,
actual reading must be used. The global acuity 195°, 225°, 255°, 285°, 315°, 345°.
score will be the average of the letter chart acuity • Determine the extent of each meridian.
score and the reading acuity score. (See Table 7) Convert the extent to a sub-score, using the
If reading acuity is significantly worse than letter values in Table 9.
acuity, the probable reason should be explained. • Add the ten sub-scores to obtain the Visual
Field Score (VFS) for that eye.

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2b Using an Overlay Grid ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Create an Overlay Grid with the 10 meridians
The ten meridians should be evenly spaced within
and grid points on each meridian at:
each quadrant. This can be achieved by using the
1°, 3°, 5°, 7°, 9°, 15°, 25°, 35°, 45°, 55°, 65°, 75°, 85° meridians at: 25°, 65° (upper right quadrant),
• Place the overlay grid over the field plot. 115°, 155° (upper left), 195°, 225°, 255° (lower
Count the grid points enclosed by the III4e left), 285°, 315°, 345° (lower right).
isopter; this is the Visual Field Score (VFS). If automated field plots are used, these should be
This procedure is recommended when there are full-field plots (Humprey 60-2, or equivalent).
scotomata (areas where the stimulus is not seen) Only if confrontation testing has determined that
within the III4e isopter. Grid points within there are no peripheral islands of vision and if a
scotomata should not be counted 30° central field plot (Humprey 30-2, or
equivalent) shows that there is no vision beyond
3. Repeat this procedure for the other eye. 20°, then the 30° plot may be used.
4. Create a representation of the binocular field
of view, by superimposing the visual fields FULLY AUTOMATED TESTING
for the right and the left eye. Count the points
that are seen by either eye. This will A pilot study in 1992, conducted with a
eliminate deficits that exist in one eye only, Humphrey Field Analyser, controlled by an IBM-
leaving only deficits that exist in both eyes. PC, has shown the feasibility of a fully automated
(See page 23 for examples.) test sequence using the points of the overlay grid
as stimulus positions. Such a program is presently
5. Calculate the Visual Field Score for the not available commercially.
Binocular Field of View as indicated in step 2.
The next section will discuss how the Acuity
6. Combine Visual Field Scores for OD, OS and Score and the Field Score can be combined to a
for OU to obtain the Functional Field Score global Vision Score.
(FFS) for the person, using the formula:
FFS = ( 3x VFSOU + VFSOD + VFSOS ) / 5

TABLE 9 – CALCULATING the VISUAL FIELD SCORE

A1. Draw 10 meridians: two in each upper- and three in each lower-quadrant. Using 25°, 65°
(upper right), 115°, 155° (upper left), 195°, 225°, 255° (lower left), 285°, 315°, 345° (lower right).
2. For the III4e Goldmann isopter or equivalent, assign a sub-score for each meridian:
Extent: 1-3°, 3-5°, 5-7°, 7-9°, 9-14°, 15-24°, 25-34°, 35-44°, 45-54°, 55-64°, 65-74°, 75-84°, >85°
Score: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
3. If a meridian is interrupted by scotomata, reduce its sub-score as follows:
Scotoma size: 0, 1° 2, 3° 4, 5° 6, 7° 8, 9° if inside the central 10° area
0-4° 5-14° 15-24° 25-34° 35-44° 45-54° if outside the central 10° area
Subtract: 0 1 2 3 4 5 points
4. Add the sub scores.
B. Alternatively, create an overlay grid with grid points on each meridian at:
1°, 3°, 5°, 7°, 9°, 15°, 25°, 35°, 45°, 55°, 65°, 75°, 85°
Count the grid points within the field.

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CALCULATION RULES for the RULE FOR CENTRAL SCOTOMATA

FUNCTIONAL VISION SCORE The dense array of points in the central 10° area of
the visual field grid means that peri-central
The Functional Vision Score (FVS) is calculated scotomata will be counted, even if they do not
by combining the Functional Acuity Score (FAS) affect the central acuity. This is appropriate, since
and the Functional Field Score (FFS). SLO micro-perimetry has shown that such
scotomata can interfere significantly with reading
The Functional Vision Score represents an
ability and with other activities of daily living.
abstraction, which may be useful for the
assignment of disability benefits. It cannot The side effect of this arrangement is that central
replace direct assessment of visual abilities, which scotomata that do affect visual acuity might be
is needed to assess rehabilitation needs and will be counted twice: once through their effect on visual
discussed in Part 4 of this GUIDE. acuity and once through their effect on the central
field. Therefore, an additional rule is needed:

BASIC RULE • If visual acuity is reduced, some central

visual field losses will not be counted.
• To calculate the Functional Vision Score,
the Functional Acuity Score and the If the Visual Acuity Score is:
Functional Field Score are multiplied as if 100-90 89-80 79-70 69-60 59-50 49 or less
they represented percentage scores. Ignore central field loss up to:
-- 2° 4° 6° 8° 10°
Functional Vision Score = FAS x FFS
In other words: for every 10 points of VAS loss,
Example: If the FAS is 80 (a 20 point loss) and
field losses in one ring of 10 grid points are
the FFS is 75 (a 25 point loss), the FVS is
ignored. This means that these points are counted
calculated as 80% x 75% = 60% (a 40 point
as if they were seen. This adjustment is made for
loss).
each eye separately.
This is the same rule as used in the AMA Guides
This rule means that patients with a small island
to combine functional estimates from different
of good acuity within a peri-central scotoma will
organ systems.
get credit for this scotoma, but that patients with a
central scotoma that affects visual acuity will not
ADDITIONAL RULES get double benefits. The adjustment does not
affect peripheral field losses. Thus, a patient with
Some additional rules are needed to avoid central loss due to Macular Degeneration and
unrealistic calculations. peripheral field loss due to Glaucoma will get
• For the purpose of this calculation, credit for the visual acuity loss as well as for the
Functional Acuity and Functional Field peripheral field loss.
Scores that are >100, are treated as if they
were 100.
INDIVIDUAL ADJUSTMENTS
In other words: losses are counted only if the
performance drops below the performance Although visual acuity loss and visual field loss
standard. Better than standard acuity does not represent significant aspects of visual impairment,
compensate for a visual field loss, or vice versa. they are not the only factors that can lead to a loss
of functional vision. As stated in the introduction,
• If visual field data are not available and if this GUIDE does not provide detailed scales for
there is no clinical reason to suspect visual other functions, such as:
field loss, the Functional Field Score may
be assumed to be 100. • Contrast Sensitivity – the ability to
perceive larger objects of poor contrast. Loss
In this case the Functional Vision Score is the
of this ability can interfere significantly with
same as the Functional Acuity score.

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

many Activities of Daily Living (ADL). It is Furthermore, their effect may be partially
often, but not always, associated with a loss of accounted for by a loss of visual acuity and may
visual acuity. vary significantly according to environmental
demands.
• Glare sensitivity (veiling glare), delayed
Glare recovery, Photophobia (light
sensitivity) and reduced or delayed Light and ADJUSTMENT RULES
Dark Adaptation are other functions that
may interfere with proper contrast perception. If significant factors remain which affect
functional vision and which are not accounted for
• Color vision defects are not uncommon, but through visual acuity or visual field loss, a further
usually do not interfere significantly with adjustment of the Functional Vision Score may be
Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Severe in order.
color vision defects (achromatopsia) are
usually accompanied by visual acuity loss. In • The need for the adjustment should be well
some vocational settings the impact of minor documented.
color vision deficiencies can be significant. • The adjustment should be limited to a
• Binocularity, Stereopsis, Suppression, reduction of the Functional Vision Score by
Diplopia. These functions vary in their effect at most 15 points.
on Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Their As noted under visual acuity, if clinical
significance often depends on the measurement conditions result in visual acuity
environment and on vocational demands. values that cannot be achieved under daily living
For most of these functions standardized conditions, the visual acuity values achievable
measurement techniques upon which standardized under daily living conditions should be used as the
scales can be based have not yet been developed. basis for the estimation of functional vision.

TABLE 10 – CALCULATING the FUNCTIONAL VISION SCORE

Measured impairment Estimated functions Global Ability Estimate

(of each eye) (of the person)
Visual Acuity Score – OD \
Visual Acuity Score – OS Functional ACUITY Score \
Visual Acuity Score – OU / (FAS) \
Functional VISION Score
Visual Field Score – OD \ / (FVS)
Visual Field Score – OS Functional FIELD Score /
Visual Field Score – OU / (FFS)

Other visual functions (if significant) Individual adjustments

Note that the prefix “visual” refers to the function of each eye. The prefix “functional” refers to the
functioning of the person. The word “vision score” combines acuity-related and field-related functions and
may include an individual adjustment for additional functional losses.

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CALCULATION EXAMPLES 5. A patient’s best-corrected acuities are:

VOD 20/60, VOS 20/500, VOU not avail.
Calculating Functional Acuity Scores We will assume that VOU equals VOD and will
1. A patient’s best-corrected acuities are: proceed as in example 2.
VOD 20/50, VOS 20/100, VOU 20/50
Use Table 6 or 2 to determine the Visual NOTE: All of the above examples assume
Acuity Score (for each eye). Use Table 7 to normal peripheral visual fields in both eyes.
combine the values to a Functional Acuity Score
(for the person): 6. A patient lost one eye:
VOD 20/ 40 85 x 1 = 85 VOD 20/50, VOS NLP, VOU 20/50
VOS 20/100 65 x 1 = 65 Use Table 6 or 2, then Table 7:
VOU 20/ 40 85 x 3 = 255 VOD 20/15 105 x 1 = 105
Functional Acuity Score 405 / 5 = 81 VOS NLP 0x1= 0
This places the person in the range of near- VOU 20/15 105 x 3 = 315
normal vision or mild vision loss. Note that the Functional Acuity Score: 420 / 5 = 84
visual ability estimate is influenced much more Based on visual acuity alone, this person is in
by binocular function than by the function of the the near-normal range. However, since the
lesser eye. visual field in the left eye is also lost, the
Functional Vision Score is lower, and the
2. A patient’s best-corrected acuities are: person drops to the range of moderate loss.
VOD 20/60, VOS 20/500, VOU 20/60 (See example 11).
Use Table 6 or 2, then Table 7, as above:
VOD 20/ 60 75 x 1 = 75
VOS 20/500 30 x 1 = 30 Calculating a Visual Field Score
VOU 20/ 60 75 x 3 = 225 (Visual Field Scores refer to each eye.)
Functional Acuity Score: 330 / 5 = 66
7. The Goldmann III4e isopter is as shown:
Although 20/60 is still in the near-normal range,
Draw ten meridians and measure the extent in
the poor condition of the other eye drops the
degrees of each meridian. Use the scale in
person to the range of moderate vision loss.
Table 9 to convert the extents to sub-scores.
Persons in this range may receive some benefits,
such as educational assistance.
450=9
450=9
3. A patient’s best-corrected acuities are:
600=10
VOD 20/250, VOS 20/200, VOU 20/200
Use Table 6 or 2, then Table 7, as above: 500=9
VOD 20/250 50 x 1 = 45
VOS 20/200 50 x 1 = 50
850=13 500=9
VOU 20/200 50 x 3 = 150
Functional Acuity Score: 245 / 5 = 49
This person is at the upper end of the range of 450=9
severe vision loss (formerly “legal blindness” in 750=12
the U.S.A.) and will hence be entitled to a 550=10
broader range of disability benefits. 700=11

4. A patient’s uncorrected visual acuities are: Add the sub-scores: (9+9) + (9+10) +
VOD 20/200, VOS 20/200, VOU 20/200 (13+12+11) + (10+9+9) = 101. The Visual
We cannot calculate a visual ability estimate, Field Score is 101. Note that the nasal sub-
since the best-corrected acuity values are not scores may not reach a value of 10, but that the
available. lateral sub-scores provide compensation.

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8. This patient has a mid-peripheral ring Calculating the Binocular Field

scotoma, due to early RP. The central field is
9. A patient has a nasal defect in one eye.
not affected.
The diagram shows the amounts subtracted for
the scotoma. (For simplicity, the peripheral
score is kept the same as in example 7.)
450=9 450=9
-100= -1 -100= -1 OS OU OD
600=10 The defect has no effect on the binocular field.
-250= -2 500=9 The Functional Field Score is affected little.
-00= -0
10. A patient has a temporal defect in one eye
500=9
850=13 -00= -0
-300= -3 450=9
750=12 -50= -0
-250= -2 700=11 550=10
-150= -1 -100= -1 OS OU OD
The binocular field is significantly affected.
The Visual Field Score is reduced by 11 points
to 90, which is in the near-normal range. Combining Acuity and Field Scores
11. A patient lost the left eye, OD is normal.
9. A static field test yields the following
The Functional Acuity Score is 84 (Example 6).
sensitivities. Construct a pseudo-isopter around
Field OD full 100 x 1 = 100
the points with better than 10 dB sensitivity.
Field OS no field 0x1= 0
4 0 0 0 Field OU full 100 x 3 = 300
Functional Field Score: 400 / 5 = 80
0 16 18 0 5 0
This would be in the near-normal range.
0 6 14 22 18 18 16 11
The Functional Vision Score is:
0 0 12 21 18 24 25 20 0 0 FAS x FFS /100 (80 x 84) / 100 = 67
0 0 12 14 18 28 22 22 18 16 This is in the range of moderate loss.
0 0 0 0 0 23 0 0 16 18 12. A patient has a peri-foveal scotoma. The
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 fovea is spared; visual acuity is 20/20.
The grid points at 3° and 5° are missed in
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
all 10 meridians. The Visual Field Score is: 100
0 0 0 0 0 0 – 10x2 = 80. The Visual Acuity Score = 100.
0 0 0 0 Functional Vision Score = 80 x 100 / 100 = 80.

Measure the extent in the 10 meridians. If this is 13. The patient in example 12 has lost the
a Humphrey 30-2 plot, the test points are central island. Visual acuity is now 20/400.
6°apart. The sub-scores are: The grid points at 1°, 3°, 5° are lost. The
Visual Field Score, considered alone, is: 100 –
24°=7 15°=6 10x3 = 70. The Visual Acuity Score, considered
17°=6 17°=6 alone, is: 20/400 = 35.
0°=0 0°=0 When considered in combination, field
0°=0 0°=0 6°=3 0°=0 losses in the central 10° are ignored (see rule for
Central Scotomata, page 20), therefore, the
The total score is: 28, which is in the range of Functional Vision Score equals the Acuity score:
profound loss. 35 x 100 / 100 = 35 (not 35 x 70 / 100 = 24).

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

PART 4 – DIRECT ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL VISION

Part 2 of this GUIDE described how to measure Measurement of visual functions can be an
various visual functions. Part 3 described how to outcome measure for medical and surgical
calculate an ability estimate, based on these interventions; for rehabilitative interventions it is
measurements. Such estimates, although useful a starting point. To plan rehabilitative
for administrative purposes, are a simplification of interventions and to evaluate their effectiveness, a
reality. The assessment of actual rehabilitative direct assessment of the various aspects of
service needs must be based on the direct functional vision (visual skills and visual abilities)
assessment of functional vision. is needed. Since there is no established consensus
on these issues, this part of the GUIDE will
Table 11 shows how different interventions affect
contain only suggestions.
the various aspects of vision loss (see Table 1).

TABLE 11 – VARIOUS INTERVENTIONS and OUTCOME MEASURES

ASPECTS: Structural change, Functional change Skills, Abilities of Social, Economic

Anatomical change at the Organ level the individual Consequences

Medical, Surgical Rehabilitative Environmental

Interventions Interventions Interventions
Outcome, Outcome, Outcome,
measured as measured as measured as shifts in
changes in changes in economic and social
organ functions skills, abilities participation

TERMINOLOGY renamed to Activities and Participation. The

introduction to ICIDH-2 repeatedly speaks about
In the International Classification of Diseases disablement, but never mentions enablement, i.e.
(ICD) the WHO has provided a classification of rehabilitation.
all diseases and disorders that can affect various
organ systems. In its companion publication, the The terminology used has an effect on the scales
International Classification of Impairments, that are selected. On an impairment / disability
Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) the WHO scale ‘100’ is likely to stand for total impairment /
provided a classification system for skills and total disability. On an organ function / ability
abilities that a person may have or may have lost. scale ‘100’ is likely to stand for normal function /
The ICIDH aspects are used in Tables 1 and 4. normal ability.
A successor to the original 1980 publication
(ICIDH-80) is currently being prepared and is VISION-RELATED ACTIVITY CODES
referred to as ICIDH-2. In the revision, an in ICIDH-2
attempt is made to shift to positive, or at least
neutral, terminology. These two types of The draft of ICIDH-2 contains a list of activities
terminology were compared in Table 1. It should (including vision-related activities), that are to be
be recognized that both groups of terms are valid combined with qualifiers on which to rate the
and that usage should depend on the context. In ability to perform these activities.
ICDH-2, the term impairment is maintained, but The currently available vision-related activity
the aspects of disability and handicap have been codes in the ICIDH-2 draft are rather broad,

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scattered and not comprehensive. They seem to create an Activity Profile for the individual.
reflect the fact that major input for ICIDH-2 came Since vision plays a role in almost all human
from the fields of physical disabilities and from activities, the list of activities that may be affected
mental health. by vision loss is very long. Since the list is so
long, it is important to select only the most
a0 01 10 Seeing things in the far distance
relevant items. The selection may not be the same
a0 01 20 things in the middle distance
for all individuals, but should contain enough
a0 01 30 things in the near distance
common elements so that comparative studies of
a0 01 40 things in poor light
different rehabilitation plans are possible.
(The cognitive activity of)
Once a list of vision-related activities has been
a0 03 10 Recognizing visual input
selected, several items should be reported for each
Knowledge acquisition and use activity:
a1 09 10 through reading
a1 09 20 through handwriting • The need for the activity.
a1 09 30 through using a keyboard E.g. the need for independent Orientation and
Mobility training may be low for an elderly
Understanding communication person who cannot leave the house because of
a2 03 10 through visual reading severe arthritis. The need for reading skills
a2 03 20 through Braille reading may be low for an illiterate client.
Writing messages • The vision-related ability to perform the
a2 07 10 by hand activity and to use the appropriate vision
a2 07 20 on a mechanical device, computer enhancement aids.
a2 07 40 in Braille The General Ability Scale in Table 5 can
a2 08 80 other communication devices provide a convenient rating mechanism.
Moving around • The ability to use vision substitution skills.
a4 04 as a pedestrian In the context of vision rehabilitation, it is not
a4 05 using transportation sufficient to limit the documentation to the
a4 06 as a driver visual skills that have been lost. It is equally
Using assistive devices important to assess how well these losses have
a9 04 00 for personal mobility been compensated for through vision
a9 06 00 adapted home appliances substitution skills. (See Table 12.)
a9 07 00 communication devices Highest priority in any rehabilitation plan should
(reading, Braille, voice, etc.) be given to activities that have the greatest need
This list does not seem to be designed for use in and the greatest potential for improvement.
vision rehabilitation settings. Sequential ratings over time can provide a
It is not easy to provide a list of vision-related measure for the effectiveness of the rehabilitative
activities that is comprehensive, yet manageable. interventions. A suggested reporting form and
Many lists have been proposed, but none have scales are presented in Table 12.
gained universal acceptance. The fact that no
consensus exists about a categorization of vision- SIMPLE vs. DETAILED PROFILES
related activities explains why a disability
estimate based on measured visual impairment is A simple, yet effective, visual ability profile is
often preferred over direct disability descriptors. used by Lea Hyvärinen, MD.
Her model contains only four activity groups:
CREATING AN ACTIVITY PROFILE Visual Communication
Daily Living skills,
To plan a rehabilitation process and to follow Orientation and Mobility and
through on its effectiveness, it can be helpful to Sustained near vision (incl. reading)

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

The model recognizes three performance levels: Communication handwriting, typing, word
Performs like a ‘S’ighted person processing, telephone
Performs like a ‘L’ow Vision person Financial management handling cash, checks
Performs like a ‘B’lind person. bill paying, banking
Consumer interactions retail services,
For more detailed vision rehabilitation plans, the
public services
activities and performance levels will need to be
Orientation, Mobility orientation, walking,
specified in more detail. At the Vision-93
driving
International Vision Rehabilitation conference,
Leisure active, passive,
Colenbrander proposed a more detailed profile
social interactions
with ten activity groups:
Education / Vocational blackboard, notes,
Self care personal care, clothing, tests, reading assignments,
health care or: specified vocational tasks.
Meals preparation, cooking,
Combined with a ten-point performance scale, this
appliances, eating
list could provide a 100-point global rating.
Home management housework, gardening,
small repairs Other groups have devised numerous other lists.
Reading personal, informational, No matter which list is used, Table 12 could
recreational provide a suggested reporting form.

TABLE 12 – SUGGESTED FORM for an ABILITY PROFILE

Need Use of Use of
Activity for the visual non-visual Comments
activity skills skills

Performance levels could be coded based on the ranges developed in Table 5.

Ability Ability to use Vision (with

Use of Vision Substitution Overall assessment
Score vision enhancement, as needed)
10 Meets needs, has reserve Meets needs with reserve
9 9 Acts like Sighted
8 Meets needs, lost reserve Meets needs, no reserve
7
6 Meets needs with effort Meets all needs with effort
5 5 Acts like Low Vision
4 Does not meet some needs Meets many needs (not all)
3
2 Does not meet many needs Meets only some needs
1 1 Acts like Blind
0 Does not meet any needs Meets no needs

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

Alternative ICIDH-2 based List PARTICIPATION (formerly Handicap)

of Vision-related Activities The fourth aspect of vision loss refers to the social
The following alternative list is offered, based on and economic consequences for the individual.
the major activity groups (a2 - a9) in ICIDH-2. It The National Eye Institute has developed a Visual
obviously needs further elaboration. Being tied to Function Questionnaire (VFQ) with 50 or 25
ICDH-2, this list might offer easier coordination items to assess Quality of Life issues in the
with other rehabilitation fields than a list designed context of clinical trials.
exclusively for vision rehabilitation.
ICIDH-80 recognized the following “Survival
Examples (not exhaustive)
Roles”:
Using Vision for Communication (a2) 1 Orientation
reading print, handwriting, images 2 Physical
writing handwriting, keyboard use 3 Mobility
body language, eye contact 4 Occupation
sign language 5 Social integration
Using Vision for Movement activities (a3) 6 Economic self-sufficiency
manipulating objects, The ICIDH-2 draft lists the following main groups
fine hand movements
of “Participation” (with many sub-groups):
Using Vision for Moving around (a4)
. (Orientation and Mobility) p0 Participation in Personal Maintenance
pedestrian mobility p1 Participation in Mobility
using public transportation p2 Participation in Exchange of Information
using private transportation p3 Participation in Relationships
p4 Participation in Education, Work, Leisure,
Using Vision for Daily Living Skills (a5) Spirituality
self care body care, eating, dressing
p5 Participation in Economic Life
Using Vision for Domestic activities (a6) p6 Participation in Civic and Community Life
shopping, laundry, meals
In general, vision loss will affect most of the listed
Using Vision for Interpersonal Behaviors (a7) categories. Whether one category is more
social skills
significantly affected than another, may depend
Using Vision for Dealing with Particular on personal and societal expectations and on the
Situations (a8) environment, job, school adaptability of the individual and the
Using Vision Enhancement devices (a9) environment. The presence of multiple problems
magnification, lighting, contrast may complicate the picture, as it often does in
multi-handicapped children and in the elderly.
In the current ICIDH-2 beta version, two
qualifiers are provided to rate performance: The ICIDH-2 draft describes the following levels
DIFFICULTY (0-no difficulty, 1-slight, 2- of Participation.
moderate, 3-severe difficulty, 4-inability) and Compare Table 10
ASSISTANCE (0-no assistance used, 1-non- 1- Full participation 8, 10
personal assistance (devices), 2-personal 2- ‘At risk’ participation (i.e. participation
assistance (helpers), 3-personal and non-personal would be restricted without facilitators) 6
assistance). 3- Participation with restrictions 2, 4
The qualifiers may be used in pairs. E.g.: 4- No participation 0
.30 = severe difficulty without assistance;
.21 = moderate difficulty with devices, and A further elaboration on the Participation aspect is
.12 = slight difficulty with a helper. beyond the current scope of this GUIDE.
In the scales used in Tables 5 and 12, the need for
assistance at the lower performance levels is
implied.

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PART 5 – DISCUSSION and BACKGROUND

COMPARISON TO THE AMA GUIDES It should also be noted that the AMA scales are
presented on the basis of ability-lost, although the
In the U.S.A. the most widely used system for calculations are based on the ability-retained.
calculating disability estimates is found in the This necessitates the use of imposing tables that
Guides for the Evaluation of Permanent hide the underlying logic. Since the advent of
Impairment published by the American Medical
pocket calculators, the use of a formula based on
Association (AMA). This GUIDE aims at
the ability-retained is simpler and easier to
maintaining continuity with the useful aspects of understand.
the AMA Guides, while correcting its deficiencies
with regard to vision. The 5th edition of the AMA
Guides (expected in 2000) is expected to conform VISUAL ACUITY SCALES
to the scales in this GUIDE.
Snell devised a mathematical formula that would
fit his visual acuity findings. Later revisions
GENERAL ABILITY SCALE replaced Snell’s formula with arbitrary numbers.
In 1958 a scale for near vision was added that is
The AMA “visual efficiency” scale (still used in
incompatible with the scale for distance vision.
the 4th edition) is one of the oldest examples of an
impairment and disability rating. It is based on an Using the distance scale, a drop of visual acuity to
employability study by Snell in 1925. Snell’s 20/200 is needed to qualify for “legal blindness”
scale placed 20/200 at “20%”, reflecting an 80% benefits (20% visual efficiency), but using the
loss of employability in 1925. near vision scale a drop to 20/90 already qualifies.
Snell’s visual efficiency scale reflects the thinking The 4th edition of the AMA scales assigns a
of a time when children with Low Vision were significant extra loss for “unilateral aphakia”.
often placed in Schools for the “Blind”, where This was justified when unilateral aphakia posed
they were blindfolded, told to disregard their significant problems of aniseikonia (different
remaining vision and taught blind skills. Today, image sizes in the two eyes). Unfortunately, this
the emphasis has shifted to the rehabilitation of was carried over to “unilateral pseudophakia” (the
remaining vision. Children with Low Vision are presence of an implant lens), even though an
mainstreamed and encouraged to use whatever important purpose of implant lenses is to avoid
vision they have. Accordingly, there is a need for this aniseikonia. This leads to the anomalous
differentiation in the ranges of Severe and situation that a patient who receives a second
Profound Low Vision. Snell’s scale, with only 20 implant lens would be considered less disabled,
points between 20/200 and total blindness, does even if the second implant lens did not improve
not allow much differentiation in this range. The the vision.
scale, proposed in this GUIDE, places 20/200 at
This GUIDE does not recognize the exceptions
“50”, providing as much room for differentiation
for unilateral aphakia or unilateral pseudophakia.
above as below the 20/200 level.
In the rare circumstances where problems might
The 4th edition of the AMA Guides does not exist, these can be handled under the “individual
provide an explicit guideline for the assignment of adjustments”.
loss levels across organ systems. However, when
such a comparison was made, the General Ability
Scale, proposed in this GUIDE (see Table 5), was VISUAL FIELD SCALES
found to fit better with the AMA scales for most The situation for visual field assessment in the 4th
other organ systems, than did the visual efficiency edition was even more confusing. Over the years,
scale. This is important when losses for different several alternative ways of calculating visual field
organ systems are to be combined. scores have been added.

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In the U.S.A., the common definition of “legal In the FFS, the lower field carries 50% more
blindness” due to field loss is a visual field of 10° weight than the upper field. This seems a realistic
radius (20° diameter) or less. compromise between the AMA formula where the
weights are the same and the Esterman method
The “AMA formula” calculates a score by adding
where the lower field has double the weight of the
the extent in eight meridians and dividing by five.
upper field.
Using the AMA formula, a 10° scotoma in the far
periphery has the same weight as a 10° scotoma
next to fixation. According to this formula a field OTHER FACTORS
of 12.5° radius qualifies for “legal blindness”
status since (8 x 12.5) /5 = 20. The 4th edition of the AMA Guides contains an
extra scale for diplopia. This scale is not included
In 1967 Esterman introduced a method of visual in this GUIDE. It is suggested that ocular motility
field scoring using an overlay grid. His method problems, if present and significant, be handled
gives different weights to different areas. He under the individual adjustment clause. This
designed three grids, for tangent screen use, for solution is the same as the one used for other
Goldmann perimetry and for Binocular fields. vision problems for which no scale exists.
The three grids are incompatible. Using the
Goldmann grid, a concentric field loss to a 15°
radius qualifies for “legal blindness”. Using the COMBINING VALUES
binocular adaptation, even a field of 20° radius The AMA Guides have two ways to combine
qualifies, twice the radius of the legal definition ! values. Similar values are averaged (as for letter
In the Esterman grids, scotomata within 5° from chart and reading acuity). Dissimilar values are
fixation (which are important for reading) are combined by multiplication (as for visual acuity
ignored, while 25% of the weight is in the and visual field). Multiplication is also used to
Bjerrum area (which is important for glaucoma combine values from different organ systems.
detection, but less important for functional These methods have also been adopted for this
vision). Also, the area between 70° and 80° GUIDE.
carries more weight than the area between 60° and The current AMA Guides combine values for right
70°. The Esterman grids assign the lower field and left eye using the formula: (3x better eye +
twice the weight of the upper field. lesser eye) /4. In this GUIDE, this has been
Since the criterion level for “legal blindness” is at modified to (3xOU+ OD+ OS)/ 5. This change
20%, a homonymous hemianopia does not qualify emphasizes the fact that the visual system is one
for “legal blindness” status under any of the system, whose normal function is binocular
formulas. Only a loss of more than three vision. If the binocular function is equal to the
quadrants would meet the criterion. function of the better eye, there is very little
change. The new formula accounts better for
The Functional Field Score (FFS) offers a those situations where the binocular function is
system that can be implemented with pencil and not identical to the function of the better eye.
paper (like the AMA formula) or with an overlay This can be particularly important for dissimilar
grid (like the Esterman method). The results are field losses.
the same for either implementation and conform
to the standard definition of “legal blindness”. The current AMA Guides treat the two eyes as
separate organs by first combining acuity loss and
In the FFS, the central 10° field carries half of the field loss for each eye, and then combining the
weight, which is consistent with the fact that this two eyes. This GUIDE changes this sequence. It
area corresponds to 50% of the primary visual first calculates a combined acuity value for OD,
cortex. Since the criterion level is moved to “50”, OS and OU as well as a combined field value for
a homonymous hemianopia will now qualify for OD, OS and OU. Then the acuity and field values
“legal blindness” status. are combined. This method gives better
consideration to the interaction between the eyes.

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

“LEGAL BLINDNESS” (USA) (with no lines at the 20/125 and 20/160 level) the
definition effectively was “less than 20/100”. On
In the depression years, this term replaced the
newer charts the definition becomes “less than
earlier, more descriptive term “Industrial 20/160”, as it is for “Severe Vision Loss” in ICD-
Blindness”. It reflects the thinking of the time 9-CM. On older charts the better definition can be
that a person with 20/200 acuity or less (or with a
implemented by changing the test distance to 10
field loss to 20° diameter or less) “might as well
ft. where “less than 20/160” becomes “less than
be blind”. Today, changed societal attitudes and
10/80”.
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have
modified this picture. The term “legal blindness”
should no longer be used but replaced by the term CONVERSION
“Severe Visual Impairment”, used in ICD-9-CM.
When needed, the following conversion table can
Such a change will not affect any of the benefits be used to convert the current AMA Visual Acuity
associated with this level of vision loss, but will ratings to Visual Acuity Score (VAS) ratings and
be more acceptable and less stigmatizing for vice versa.
patients.
The conversion is most meaningful for distance
Use of this GUIDE will change the name of the visual acuity, which is the predominant factor in
criterion from “20 percent” to “50 points”, but the AMA ratings. The current AMA near acuity
will not change any eligibility rules. It will avoid ratings are more irregular.
the many internal inconsistencies that have crept
A conversion cannot be given for Visual Field
into the current AMA Guides.
ratings, where the current AMA Guides allow
In the context of current visual acuity standards, several inconsistent alternatives.
the common definition of “Legal Blindness” as
“20/200 or less” is confusing. On older charts

Comparison of the Visual Acuity Score (VAS) to the current AMA Visual Efficiency scales
Ability scale Disability Scale (loss)
ICD-9-CM Visual
AMA AMA 100 AMA AMA
ranges Acuity
VAS distance near — distance near
values values VAS scale scale
Normal vision 20/20 100 100 100 0 0 0
Near-normal 20/30 90 90 95 10 10 5
vision 20/50 80 75 50 20 25 50
Moderate 20/80 70 55 20 30 45 85
Low Vision 20/125 60 40 10 40 60 90
Severe 20/200 50 20 2 50 80 98
Low Vision 20/300 40 15 60 85
Profound 20/500 30 10 70 90
Low Vision 20/800 20 5 80 95
Near-total loss 20/1250 10 90

STATISTICAL USES OF THE The Visual Acuity Score (FAS) can also be useful
VISUAL ACUITY SCORE when visual acuity data are gathered on groups of
people, as in clinical studies, where it is often
This GUIDE describes the use of the Visual desirable to calculate differences between visual
Acuity Score (FAS) as an ability estimate for acuity values, to calculate averages, and to plot
individuals. trends.

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

For these purposes direct visual acuity scales are of the various sections have been rewritten
not suited, since similar numerical steps have completely.
unequal functional significance. If the numerator
The current ICIDH-2 draft reflects a strong
steps are equal, the lower steps (e.g. 0.1, 0.2, 0.3)
influence from the fields of physical disability and
are too big, while the upper steps (e.g. 0.9, 1.0,
mental health. Where scales are used, they are not
1.1) are too small. The opposite is true when the
ability scales, but scales of loss. The introduction
denominator steps are equal; in that case the upper
repeatedly uses the term “disablement”, but never
steps (e.g. 20/10, 20/20, 20/30, 20/40) are too big
mentions “enablement”. This may reflect an
compared to lower steps with the same interval
influence of disability rights activists and a
(e.g. 20/100, 20/110, 20/120). The clinical
tendency to consider disability as a more or less
solution has long been to speak of “lines of vision
permanent condition. The rehabilitation
loss”.
community, on the other hand, considers disability
The mathematically proper way to achieve equal as a problem to be solved. In this spirit, this
steps is to replace the geometric progression of GUIDE uses ability scales, rather than disability
visual acuity values with a linear or logarithmic scales, and promotes the terminology of ICD-9-
scale. Several such scales have been proposed CM, using “severe vision loss” to replace the term
and are interchangeable. Bailey and Lovie “legal blindness”.
proposed the logMAR scale (log Minimal Angle
It is hoped that the suggestions offered in Part 4
of Resolution), Bailey later used the VAR (Visual
may provide a stimulus towards the further
Acuity Rating), the NEI uses the ETDRS scoring
development of uniform, standardized and useful
method.
descriptors of visual abilities.
LogMAR is a scale of vision loss: 1 logMAR unit
represents 10 lines of loss. The VAS and VAR
scores are identical: a 5-point loss equals 1 line.
The ETDRS score is similar, but starts at a
BIBLIOGRAPHY
different level: ETDRS = VAS (or VAR) – 15. Classifications:
Decimal: 1.0, 0.6, 0.4, 0.25, 0.16, 0.1, … 1. International Classification of Diseases, 9th
U.S.: 20/20, 20/30, 20/50, 20/80, 20/125, 20/200, … Revision (ICD-9), World Health Organization,
VAS: 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, … Geneva, 1977.
VAR: 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, … 2. International Classification of Diseases, 9th
ETDRS: 85, 75, 65, 55, 45, 35, … Revision - Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM).
logMAR: 0, 0.2, 0,4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, … First edition: Commission on Professional and
Hospital Activities, Ann Arbor, 1978. Later
Of these scales the VAS and VAR scores appear editions by: U.S. Public Health Service, 1980, and
to be most “user friendly” and best integrated with others.
other measurement scales, as indicated in this The eye sections in ICD-9 and ICD-9-CM were
GUIDE. developed in close cooperation with the International
Council of Ophthalmology and the American Academy
of Ophthalmology. ICD-9 contains eye codes with 4-
COMPARISON to ICIDH-2 digit detail; ICD-9-CM extends them to 5-digit detail.
The visual acuity ranges in ICD-9 are numbered and
The publication of ICDH-80 made an important
do not include the normal range. In ICD-9-CM the
contribution by providing a conceptual framework ranges are named, as they are in this GUIDE.
based on the four aspects of vision loss (or any
3. International Classification of Impairments,
other loss): disorder, impairment, disability and Disabilities and Handicaps, World Health
handicap. This framework has been used far more Organization, Geneva, 1980.
in Europe than in the U.S.A. The successor,
4. ICIDH-2 – International Classification of
ICIDH-2, has maintained this framework, but has Impairments, Activities and Participation - Beta-1,
changed the labels for “disability” and “handicap” World Health Organization, Geneva, under
to “activities” and “participation”. The contents development, available at www.who.ch/icidh.

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GUIDE for the Evaluation of VISUAL Impairment Summer 1999

Standards: Academy of Ophthalmology, Transactions AAOO,

5. Visual Acuity Measurement Standard - 83:332-337, 1977.
International Council of Ophthalmology, 1984, in: 18. Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, Dept.
Italian J. Opht., pp. 1-15, II/I, 1988. of Health and Human Services, 1986.
6. Visual Acuity Measurement: DIN standard # 58220 19. Colenbrander, A., Lieberman, M.F., Schainholz
D.C., Preliminary Implementation of the
7. Visual Acuity Measurement: ISO standard # 8596,
Functional Vision Score on the Humphrey Field
8597. See also ISO # 3: Preferred numbers.
Analyzer. Proceedings of the International
Related documents: Perimetric Society, Kyoto, 1992.
8. Sloan, L.L., New Test Charts for the Measurement 20. Hyvärinen, L., Classification of Visual
of Visual Acuity at Far and Near Distances. Am J Impairment and Disability. Bull. Soc. Belge
Ophthalmol 48:807-813, 1959. Ophtal., 215, 1-16, 1985.
Louise Sloan introduced the name M-unit for the entity 21 The Functional Vision Score. A Coordinated
labeled “D” in Snellen’s formula: V = d / D. Scoring System for Visual Impairments,
9. Esterman, B., Grid for Scoring Visual Fields. I - Disabilities and Handicaps. August Colenbrander.
Tangent Screen. Arch. Ophth. 77:780-786, 1967. In: Low Vision - Research and New Developments
10. Esterman, B., Grid for Scoring Visual Fields. II - in Rehabilitation, Kooijman et al. eds., Studies in
Perimeter. Arch. Ophth. 79:400-406, 1968. Health Technology and Informatics, IOS Press,
Amsterdam, 1994, pp. 552-561.
11. Esterman, B., Functional Scoring of the Binocular
Field. Ophthalmology, 89(11): 1226-1234, (Nov.) 22 Psychometric properties of the National Eye
1982. Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-
12. Bailey, I.L., Lovie, J.E., New Design Principles VFQ). Arch. Ophthalmol. 116:1496-1504 (1998).
for Visual Acuity Letter Charts. Am J Optom AMA Guides and precursors:
Physiol Opt 53:740-745, 1976. 23. Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent
Bailey and Lovie introduced the proportionally spaced Impairment – American Medical Association,
layout with 5 letters/line, which is now the standard. Chicago, 4th Edition, 1993. Prior: 1st Ed., 1971;
They also introduced the logMAR scale. 2nd Ed., 1984; 3rd Ed., 1988; 3rd Ed.rev., 1990.
13. National Academy of Sciences, National Research 5th edition expected in 2000.
Council, Committee on Vision, Report of Working 24. Snell, A.C., Visual Efficiency of Various Degrees
Group 39: Recommended Standard Procedures for of Subnormal Visual Acuity, its Effect on Earning
the Clinical Measurement and Specification of Ability. J AMA 85(18): 1367-1373.
Visual Acuity. Adv. Ophthalm. 41:103-148, 1980. 25. Snell, A.C., Sterling, S, The Percentage
14. Ferris, F.L., Kassov A., Bresnick G.H., Bailey I., Evaluation of Macular Vision, Arch. Ophth.
New Visual Acuity Charts for Clinical Research. 54:443-461, (Sept.) 1925.
Am J Ophthalmol 1982; 94:91-96. 26. Report of the Committee on Compensation for Eye
15. Measurement Guidelines for Collaborative Injuries, J AMA 85(2): 113-115, (July) 1925.
Studies. National Eye Institute (NEI), Bethesda, 27. Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent
MD. Impairment - Committee report. JAMA 168 (4):
The NEI (ETDRS) guidelines popularized the 475-485, 1958.
standardized layout. The NEI rules specify a rating Test chart
system similar to the Visual Acuity Score. However, on
the NEI scale 20/20 = 85. NEI score = VAS – 15. 28. Low Vision Test Chart. One side: Letter chart
from 50M to 1M (Acuity: 1/50, 0.02, 20/1000 to
16 Visual Acuity Measurement for Low Vision. 1/1, 1.0, 20/20), 1m cord attached. Other side:
August Colenbrander. In: Low Vision - Research reading segments from 10M to 0.6M, diopter ruler
and New Developments in Rehabilitation, included, standardized segments for reading rate
Kooijman et al. eds., Studies in Health Technology measurements. Available in English, Spanish,
and Informatics, IOS Press, Amsterdam, 1994, pp. Portuguese, German, Dutch, Finnish.
542-551. Precision Vision, 944 First Street, LaSalle, IL
Disability ratings: 61301, USA. Telefax: 1-815-223-2224.
17. Colenbrander, A. Dimensions of Visual
Performance, Low Vision Symposium, Amer.

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