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Purpose: To investigate the effect of font choice on reading parameters by using the RADNER Reading Charts printed in two fonts (Helvetica vs. Times Roman) equalized in terms of x-height. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 40 participants with healthy eyes (18 to 60 years of age; mean: 42.13 ± 12.28 years). Reading performance was evaluated binocularly with RADNER Reading Charts printed in either Helvetica Neue (T1) Roman sans serif (Adobe) or Times New Roman PS Roman serif (Adobe). The test distance was 40 cm. Reading charts were presented in random order. Reading acuity (RA), mean reading speed of all sentences read (MEAN-ALL RS), mean reading speed from 0.8 logRAD to 0.3 logRAD (MEAN-RS), maximum reading speed (MAX-RS), and critical print size (CPS) were compared. Results: The RA values obtained for the Helvetica and Times Roman fonts (in full logarithmic units of 0.1 logRAD) did not differ between the two fonts (mean for both fonts: − 0.128 ± 0.064 logRAD; 95% CI for both: − 0.148; − 0.107 logRAD). The differences in all other reading parameters between the two fonts were small and not statistically significant. The analyses revealed narrow confidence intervals and good coefficients of reliability. Except for the CPS (r = 0.49) and RA (equal for Helvetica and Times Roman), the correlations for all parameters were high, ranging from r = 0.92 to r = 0.98. Conclusion: The equivalent reading performance obtained with Helvetica and Times Roman (when equalized in x-height and layout) makes these font types interchangeable as standards for reading charts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new generation of logarithmic reading charts has sparked interest in standardized reading performance analyses. Such reading charts have been developed according to the standards of the International Council of Ophthalmology. The print size progression in these calibrated charts is in accordance with the mathematical background of EN ISO 8596. These reading charts are: the Bailey-Lovie Word Reading Chart, the Colenbrander English Continuous Text Near Vision Cards, the Oculus Reading Probe II, the MNREAD Charts, the SKread Charts, and the RADNER Reading Charts. The test items used for these reading charts differ among the charts and are standardized to various extents. The Bailey-Lovie Charts, MNREAD Charts, SKread Charts, and RADNER Charts are also meant to measure reading speed and allow determination of further reading parameters such as reading acuity, reading speed based on reading acuity, critical print size, reading score, and logMAR/logRAD ratio. Such calibrated reading charts have already provided valuable insights into the reading performance of patients in many research studies. They are available in many languages and thus facilitate international communication about near visual performance. In the present review article, the backgrounds of these modern reading charts are presented, and their different levels of test-item standardization are discussed. Clinical research studies are mentioned, and a discussion about the immoderately high number of reading acuity notations is included. Using the logReading Acuity Determination ([logRAD] = reading acuity equivalent of logMAR) measure for research purposes would give reading acuity its own identity as a standardized reading parameter in ophthalmology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Being unable to read is a major problem for visually impaired patients. Since distance visual acuity (VA) does not adequately reflect reading ability, it is important to also evaluate near VA. The Radner Reading Charts (RRCs) are available to measure patients' reading performance. The present study tested the inter-chart and test-retest reliability of the RRCs in Dutch low-vision patients (i.e., visual acuity ≥0.3 logMAR) with various eye disorders. Methods: Thirty-eight patients read the three RRCs in random order. Then, about 1 month after the initial measurements, a test-retest procedure was performed in 15 of the 38 patients. Tested variables were reading acuity (logRAD), logRAD score, logRAD/logMAR ratio, maximum reading speed (MRS), and critical print size (CPS). Both MRS and CPS were calculated in two different ways. To determine the variability, a mixed-model analysis was used. Results: For all variables, the largest part of the variance was explained by the individual subject (86-89%) whereas the chart accounted for only 0-0.78% of the variability. Therefore, the inter-chart and test-retest reliability was high, except for the CPS which had a poor to moderate reliability (31-62%) when calculated in the two different ways. Conclusions: The inter-chart and test-retest results showed high reliability in patients with low vision due to various diseases; therefore, the charts are feasible to determine effects in large groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Ophthalmologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Die TAP-Studie hat bewiesen, dass die Photodynamische Therapie (PDT) mit Verteporfin das Risiko eines schweren Visusverlustes von mehr als 3 Zeilen reduzieren kann. Ziel unserer Studie war es den Einfluss der PDT auf den Nahvisus und das zentrale Gesichtsfeld zu untersuchen. 63 Augen von 55 Patienten wurden entsprechend der Kriterien der TAP-Studie selektiert und nach dem empfohlenen Schema behandelt. Anamnese Biomikroskopie, Fernvisus mit EDTRS Charts, Nahvisus mit Jägertafeln, zentrale Schwellenwertperimetrie und Fluoreszenzangiographie wurden bei der Erstuntersuchung, nach 6 Wochen, 3 Monaten und weiterhin alle 3 Monate durchgeführt. Der mittlere Fernvisus vor Behandlung war 0,2, 21% der Augen verbesserten und 25% verschlechterten sich um 3 Zeilen. Der mittlere Nahvisus vor PDT betrug Jgl2,2; 17,8% der Augen verbesserten sich und 14,3% verschlechterten sich um 3 Absätze. Die mittleren Werte des „mittleren Defekt“ blieben nahezu unverändert. In der FLA nahmen 25% der Membranen an Größe zu, 36,7% waren nach 1 Jahr kleiner als bei der Erstuntersuchung, 38,3% blieben unverändert. Bei der Untersuchung nach 1 Jahr zeigten nur 25% der Augen eine Verschlechterung des Fernvisus um mehr als 3 Zeilen, im Vergleich dazu waren es 33% der behandelten Augen in der TAP Studie in der Gruppe der überwiegend klassischen Membranen. In 75%derAugen konnte mit Hilfe der PDT eine weitere Verschlechterung des Fernvisus um mehr als 3 Zeilen, des Nahvisus um 3 Absätze und des „Mittleren Defekt“ um 2dB verhindert werden. TAP-Study has determined that photodynamic therapy with verteporfin can reduce the risk of vision loss compared with a placebo. The purpose of our study was to examine whether PDT can prevent severe loss of reading acuity and further depression of the visual field in cases of predominantly classic subfoveal neo-vascularisation due to age-related macular degeneration. 63 eyes of 55 patients selected according to the indications of the TAP-Study were included and treated according to the Visudyne protocol. Biomicroscopy, distance visual acuity, reading acuity 10 deg static threshold perimetry and fluorescein angiography were performed at baseline, after 6 weeks, 3 months and continuing every 3 months. The mean baseline visual acuity was 0.2. 25% of the treated eyes lost more than 3 lines and 21,4% gained more than 3 lines after 1 year. The mean baseline reading acuity was Jg 12,2. 14,3% of the eyes lost more than 3 levels of reading acuity 17,8% gained more than 3 levels. The mean values of mean defect of the central vision fields showed no changes. In the FLA there was a progression of the CNV beyond the area of lesion identified at baseline in 25%, there was a decrease of lesion size in 36,7% and in 38,3% there was no change. 25% of the eyes in our study lost more than 3 lines at the month 12 examination compared with 33 % of the treated eyes in the TAP-Study (subgroup of predominantly classic CNV), PDT can prevent severe vision loss of distance and reading acuity and further deterioration of the central visual field in about 75% of the eyes. The baseline reading acuity was poor and the patients should be aware of the fact that loss of reading acuity will not be gained after successful PDT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Spektrum der Augenheilkunde is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)