Can we test our eyesight at home? Yes, it is possible. However, it is important to remember that children under the age of 3 should only be tested by an eye doctor. The result of any home test should be treated as indicative and also go with it to a specialist. Do you want to know how often you should have your eyes tested at an ophthalmologist or optometrist’s office? We wrote about it here.
Here is an eye test you can do at home, but keep in mind that it is not a substitute for a professional eye exam.
You will need them:
- something to cover the eye, such as a paper cup or handkerchief,
- scissors,
- A piece of tape or a pin to attach the test card to the wall,
- A pen or pencil to record the results,
- A tape measure or ruler,
- flashlight,
- printer.
The test must take place in a well-lit room at least three meters long.
Downloadable (PDF) adult home vision test card.
Test card for testing your child’s vision at home download (PDF).
What you need to do:
- Select a child’s or adult’s test chart and print it. After printing, the largest letter at the top of the chart should be slightly less than 23 millimeters high.
- Measure 3 meters from the wall without windows and place a chair in that spot.
- Tape or pin the chart on a bare wall, at the eye level of the person (sitting in the chair) you will be testing.
Home eye examination in a young child
If you are testing a young child’s eyesight and having trouble getting him to focus, tell him that you will play a special “pointing game.” Explain what this pointing will consist of. To do this, print out this card and show your child how to point in the same direction that E “points.” Turn the card with E in four different directions (up, down, right, left). You can hold the practice card as close as your child wants until he can point to the four directions without your help.
Now follow the next steps:
- Sit the child on a chair set 3 meters from the chart, and ask him to hold the shield in front of one eye without pressing it. Don’t let the child peek. You can ask a second person to help – them hold the shield in place and watch to see if the toddler peeps. If the child wears glasses, he should keep them on his nose during the examination.
- If the chart seems too dark to see clearly, use a flashlight to illuminate the test letters.
- Point to each letter E, starting with the largest. Ask your child to point in the direction the E is pointing.
- Write down the number of the smallest line that your child sees correctly (more than half of the correctly identified E).
- Then repeat the test with the other eye covered. If your child is tired, you can test the other eye after a short break or on another day.
Home eye examination in older children and adults
If you are examining the eyesight of an older child or adult:
- Ask the test subject to sit on a chair, 3 meters from the chart. Make sure the chart is at her eye level.
- Ask the test person to cover one eye. If he uses glasses, they should be on his nose during the test.
- Shine a flashlight on each line of the chart while the person you are testing reads the letters aloud. Continue to the bottom row or until the letters are no longer legible to the test person.
- Write down the number of the last line that was read correctly (in which more than half of the letters were correctly identified).
- Now repeat the test with the other eye covered and record the results.
Survey results
A child should be able to see the 20/40 line at age 3 or 4, and the 20/30 line at age 5. An older child or adult should be able to read the 20/20 line.
If, when a person is examined several times on different days, he or she does not see the expected line on the printout, or sees differently with each eye, this may indicate a vision problem. If the results are abnormal, it is imperative to make an appointment for an eye examination.
