Screen Readers Skip to Content
🖶 Print page

Printable Snellen Eye Charts

NOTE: This article is over 3 years old and may not reflect current information, despite the page being updated. It may still be useful for research but should be verified for accuracy and relevance.

Published: 2017-12-21 - Updated: 2020-05-21
Author: Disabled World | Contact: www.disabled-world.com
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Library of Related Papers: Medical Calculators and Charts Publications

Synopsis: General information regarding eye charts including free Snellen eye charts that you can print for home or office use to test eyesight and visual acuity. Visual acuity (VA) is clearness of vision which is dependent on sharpness of retinal focus within the eye, sensitivity of nervous elements, and interpretative faculty of the brain. A visual acuity of 20/20 is frequently described as meaning that a person can see detail from 20 feet away the same as a person with normal eyesight would see from 20 feet.

advertisements

Main Digest

The Snellen eye chart was first designed by a Dutch ophthalmologist, Herman Snellen in 1860s. Other types of commonly used eye charts include the Landolt C, and the Lea test.

Related Publications:

Below you will find several variations of printable Snellen eye charts you can download and print for home use to determine your visual acuity ie. 20/20 vision.

If a person cannot achieve a visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60) or above in the better eye, even with the best possible glasses, then that person is considered legally blind in the United States. A person with a visual field narrower than 20 degrees also meets the definition of legally blind.

Visual acuity (VA) is acuteness or clearness of vision - especially form vision, which is dependent on the sharpness of the retinal focus within the eye, the sensitivity of the nervous elements, and the interpretative faculty of the brain. VA is a quantitative measure of the ability to identify black symbols on a white background at a standardized distance as the size of the symbols is varied. The VA represents the smallest size that can be reliably identified. VA is the most common clinical measurement of visual function.

Someone with 20/20 visual acuity does not have "perfect" vision, since it is quite possible to see better than 20/20. The maximum acuity of the human eye without visual aids (such as binoculars) is generally thought to be around 20/10 (6/3).

Recent developments in optometry have resulted in corrective lenses conferring upon the wearer a vision of up to 20/10. Some birds, such as hawks, are believed to have an acuity of around 20/2; in this respect, their vision is much better than human eyesight. Many humans have one eye that has superior visual acuity over the other.

(Article continues below image.)

Person holding eyeglasses up in front of Snellen eye chart.
Person holding eyeglasses up in front of Snellen eye chart.
(Continued...)

What Does the Capital Letter "E" on Eye Charts Mean?

In many modern eye practices today, eye charts may be projected so that they are seen through a series of mirrors. They may also be in the form of wall-mounted or hanging charts. At the top of the chart there is typically a large letter "E" Below that letter, there are rows of capital letters, with each row progressively smaller than the previous one. In some cases, there may be numbers or pictures in place of letters. Some charts may consist of the letter "E" in decreasing sizes, pointing in different directions. This is called the "tumbling"E" chart and is used for people who have difficulty speaking, but can point to indicate which direction the "E" on a certain line on the chart is facing.

Referral to an ophthalmologist should be considered if a persons visual acuity is worse than 20/40, with glasses, if applicable, and visual impairment is interfering with their daily activities.

Printing the Charts:

How to Use Eye Charts:

Free Printable Snellen Eye Charts

(Article continues below image.)

Standard free printable Snellen Eye Chart for home or office use.
Standard free printable Snellen Eye Chart for home or office use.
(Continued...)

Snellen eye chart

Snellen Chart 2

Snellen eye chart number 2

Snellen Chart 3

Snellen eye chart number 3

Snellen Chart 4

Snellen eye chart number 4

Tweet This Add to Facebook Post to Reddit
advertisements

Disabled World is an independent disability community established in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. See our homepage for informative news, reviews, sports, stories and how-tos. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or learn more on our about us page.

Disabled World provides general information only. The materials presented are never meant to substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Financial support is derived from advertisements or referral programs, where indicated. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.


Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (2017, December 21). Printable Snellen Eye Charts. Disabled World. Retrieved May 30, 2023 from www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/snellen-charts.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/snellen-charts.php">Printable Snellen Eye Charts</a>