What is noted about the Snellen equivalents listed on the ETDRS chart?

• A. They have already been converted to compensate for 4 m and 2 m test distances
• B. They are unadjusted for distance
• C. They are adjusted for 1 m distance only
• D. They are adjusted for all distances equally

Answer: (A)

The important idea is that the ETDRS chart is designed around a fixed testing distance, and the Snellen values printed on it are already translated to match how those letters would be read at those distances. Specifically, the chart provides Snellen equivalents that have been converted to reflect performance at both the standard distance (4 meters) and a second commonly used distance (2 meters). This lets you interpret the lines using familiar Snellen terminology while you’re measuring with the logMAR format of ETDRS. Since Snellen acuity changes with distance, these pre-converted values are there to give accurate reference points for those two distances. The labeling isn’t meant to represent raw print sizes at other distances, which is why other distances aren’t listed.