The Snellen Chart or Snellen Scale What is It ?

My son is 5 years old and has just had his first school Eye Care Exam.

We have been advised to take him to see an optician - which of course we will do.

The school test said that on the Snellen scale he is 6/6 (20/20) in his left eye and 6/9 (20/30) in his right eye. (This is in metric)

I will try and explain what this means and if it is anything to seriously worry about.

Herman Snellen, a Dutch ophthalmologist, designed the first eye chart, which measures visual acuity.

Referred to as the Snellen Chart, it was developed in 1862 and is still used today.

He set the baseline of measurement at 20 feet, the approximate distance at which light rays entering the eye are parallel and do not require our eyes to bend the rays to focus them upon The Retina.

Snellen set the standard of 20 20 Vision to represent "normal sight," or what a person with normal vision could see at a distance of 20 feet.

This means that a person with 20/40 vision must be 20 feet away to read what he or she should be able to read at 40 feet; a person with 20/85 vision must be 20 feet away to read what he or she should be able to read at 85 feet away, and so on.

This standard does not measure visual acuity at close distances.

Similar charts were devised with smaller letters to read at close range for the measurement of near vision.

A Snellen Chart is included in the Rebuild Your Vision program so that you can measure your vision as it improves. There is also a log for you to record your progress.

Seven other optical tools and charts are also included in the package.

The charts that are included have a special glare free laminate to ensure your ability to perform the exercises under all lighting conditions.

Each one is used to perform the different Eye Care Exercises and vision improvement techniques.

You can get the program delivered to your front door within two to three days and start the exercises within about 10-15 minutes from when you open the package.

You'll be amazed at how easily and quickly your vision improves.

Take the first step to improving your vision -- for life. See for yourself at

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snellen chart to rebulding your vision