Tele visual acuity measurements are successful and reliable

A remotely operated computer-based logarithmic (logMAR) visual acuity chart is just as reliable as measurements taken by an optometrist, states an investigation in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Dr S. Ve Ramesh et al., Department of Optometry, Manipal College of Allied Health Science, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India, tested visual acuity using a laptop or computer-based logMAR chart (COMPlog). The methods included the physical presence of an optometrist and absence of an optometrist (the remote method).

Remote access to the system was obtained via the internet using Teamviewer softaware linked to COMPlog and instructions were given by telephone. Time taken for each procedure and the logMAR visual acuity was recorded. Participant feedback was obtained with a questionnaire.

The mean visual acuity measurement between the two methods demonstrated no statistically significant difference. The patient feedback presented no significant difference between the two methods.