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Snellen Chart

Picture of the Snellen eye chart

Adapted from the National Eye Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health. Available online: http://www.nei.nih.gov

A Snellen chart is used to test far vision. It has several rows of letters. The letters on the top line are the largest; those on the bottom line are the smallest. You stand 20 ft (6 m) from the chart, cover one eye, and read the smallest row of letters you can see on the chart.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, MPH, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
Last Revised June 9, 2011

Last Revised: June 9, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, MPH, FRCSC - Ophthalmology

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