What Is Open Eye and Closed Eye Tests?
For many decades, open eye and closed eye tests have been used in the medical sector to diagnose and assess a patient’s vision. Both tests involve having a patient look at a chart that has a variety of visual elements, such as black lines and red dots. The assessment of a patient’s vision is based on how clearly they can identify the elements in the chart.
The open eye test is the most basic of the two tests. It is usually used to detect any visual impairments a patient may have and can be easily done by looking at an eye chart or eye chart software. This test consists of having the patient read a chart from a certain distance. The patient may be asked to read from the left to the right or from the top to the bottom. Depending on how far away the patient can read, the eye doctor can assess the level of visual acuity (sharpness) the patient can achieve.
Closed-eye tests are slightly more involved. In this version, the patient is instructed to close one eye, and then look at the same eye chart with their open eye. This helps to rule out any possibility of the patient looking at the chart with their closed eye only. This can also be done with software or an eye chart, but there are a few tweaks made to screen the patient from cheating. Usually, the eye doctor turns off the overhead lights and draws a curtain or blind around the patient. This helps to eliminate any external visual distractions from influencing the results.
Ultimately, an eye examination that uses both open eye and closed eye tests can give a more well-rounded and accurate picture of a patient’s overall vision. Below is a picture of a typical open eye test.
The open eyes and closed eye tests are important tools in the medical field and can provide invaluable information to help diagnose and assess a patient’s vision. If you’re experiencing any vision problems, it’s strongly recommended that you get them checked out by an eye doctor. He or she can assess your dilation, refractive error, ocular alignment, and peripheral vision, as well as perform a thorough examination of your eyes’ structure with the help of open eye tests and closed eye tests. So, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with an eye doctor nearest you!
