A Moorfields and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology study has demonstrated that children and young adults can assess their own contrast sensitivity (CS) with repeatable results.

Forty children aged 5-15 years with amblyopia (N=10), bilateral vision impairment (N=10) or good vision (N=20) measured their own vision on a screen-based optotype test (Manifold), a gamified vision test (PopCSF) and a paper-based test (Spotchecks) in a laboratory with minimal supervision.

Of these tests, the most repeatable was Spotchecks, while PopCSF was the quickest and participants’ favourite, wrote researchers in Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics. All participants were happy to use at least one of the three tests at home, despite each taking 2-4 minutes to complete, they reported.