Vision & Age

Eye Test

How well do you see?

Find out for yourself how good your vision really is. All you need is a friend and a few minutes. While this is not a substitute for a complete eye exam by a doctor, it may help you discover a vision problem that requires professional attention.

Testing

  • Print out the Snellen Eye Chart

  • Tape it on a bare, windowless wall approximately 4 feet from the ground.

  • Sit in a chair 10 feet from the wall. If you normally wear contact lenses or glasses, wear them for this test.
  • Ask your friend to hold a cover (such as a handkerchief or paper cup) over one of your eyes and use a flashlight to point at each line of the chart, starting at the top. Keeping both eyes open, read each letter out loud as your friend points.
  • Record the number, such as 20/20, of the smallest line you can read correctly.

  • Repeat steps four and five with the other eye.