Which near visual acuity test is used to assess functional near vision?

• A. continuous test
• B. low contrast newspaper
• C. distance chart
• D. high contrast test

Answer: (A)

Functional near vision is best assessed with a test that uses continuous text, because real-world near tasks are performed by reading flowing lines of words rather than recognizing isolated letters. A continuous text reading chart presents full sentences across many lines, allowing measurement of both reading acuity and reading speed. This setup mirrors everyday reading demands, giving a true sense of how well someone can function at near tasks like reading notes, menus, or screens. In contrast, distance charts evaluate far vision, high-contrast tests focus on single-letter recognition with very strong contrast, and low-contrast newspaper tests emphasize reading under challenging conditions rather than standardized near-vision acuity. So, the continuous text reading approach provides the most accurate reflection of functional near vision.