Macular

[Suejoyce]

Can anyone tell me what this meant re 6/30 le 6 /12 and is it bad

[rosyG]

These numbers record you vision from particular distances I think.I can't say about how bad they are but when my vision suddenly worsened I had 6/60 in the eye for which I have since had injections There has been a great improvement- can read again, and it's now 6/12 still have some oedema so injections are continuing. I think others will be abe to give a more exact answer!!

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear Suejoyce,

The figures quoted refer to your visual acuity as measured by the Snellen chart. You ideally need to discuss your results and any concerns with your ophthalmologist.

I have a link for you:

rcophth.ac.uk/patients/snel...

I am also copying the link to our Driving booklet:

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any further help. The Macular Society helpline is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,

[Ayayay80]

Hello Suejoyce

In simple terms the visual acuity (VA) is always measured from the patients point of vision. In the UK the distance between you and the eye chart is usually measured from 6 feet away from the eye chart. So, 6/12 means that the patient can see from 6 feet away what a person with normal vision can see from 12 feet away. This is equal to 20/40 as calculated the USA and Europe. Although it suggest that you have only half the sight of a person with normal sight, in real terms it is not as bad as it sounds. It is still reasonable eye sight. You mention 6/30 in your post or did you mean 20/30? Of course. 6/30 (equal to 20/100) would be rather poor. I hope that explains things to you better. Remember, the patient's VA is always calculated as 6 or 20 ( the first figure) depending on measurements used. Even if your eye sight deteriorates those figures never change while the higher number, the comparison for normal eye sight may go up or down. I know it sounds back to front, but that is how it is worked. x

[Ayayay80 in reply to Ayayay80]

Can I just add that whichever system is used, whether 6 or 20, the two are never mixed together, because the reading would be totally wrong.

[tallyho in reply to Ayayay80]

Hi there Ayayay80 in your post you write the numbers are always 6 or 20 determine distance but what happens if you need to sit 1 metre from the chart? My left eye vision is noted as 1/60 but this is done on the EDTRS chart what is 1/60 converted?

[Ayayay80 in reply to tallyho]

Hi tallyho

I am sure that all these different systems are there to confuse us!!! With the Snellen chart each line carries a number, ie 20/20, 20/32, 20/40 etc. The higher the number - the poorer your visual acuity. With the EDTRS system the number of letters you can read are counted. So in this case - the higher the number, the better your VA. To confuse matters even more, there are different methods of interpreting the readings. On one of my visits to the clinic I was told I had successfully read 58 letters. My VA was 6/15 at the time. The trouble is, I know I never read that amount of numbers. The number of letters on the charts used in clinics are much lower, though I believe that the original and complete charts carried as many as 10 letters per line. Perhaps that is where they get the readings from.

[Suejoyce in reply to Ayayay80]

Ty x

[maryparry in reply to Ayayay80]

I thought it was 20feet away or 6 metres.Now I read 6 feet away so still don't get what the 20 refers to.

[Hidden in reply to Ayayay80]

My understanding was that 6 and 20 equate to metres and feet respectively. Being the standard distance between the chart and the patient's eye. Obviously, in some consulting rooms that distance cannot be achieved and so the letter size is adjusted accordingly.

[Suejoyce]

Ty all hope you are well x

[tallyho]

Hi Suejoyce it can seem quite bad when you have been used to very good vision but in truth your vision is on paper not too bad considering you have 6/12 in your best eye this means you can legally still drive. Do you have difficulties with glare or contrast? This can make your vision seem far worse than what is calculated when using a bright screen in the clinic

Best wishes Tallyho

[Suejoyce in reply to tallyho]

Ty x

[maryparry in reply to tallyho]

My understanding is that 6/12 is borderline for driving so, for me, combined with the problem of glare and dark adaptation+sometimes things seem to come suddenly into my peripheral vision, I think I better not drive. Such a loss of independence though.

[carolineJames]

Here you go...

Equivalent Notations

Parts of Britain 6/6 6/12 6/30 6/60

U.S.A.

20/20 20/40 20/100 20/200

[Suejoyce in reply to carolineJames]

Ty x

[rosyG]

I was right that there would be some who would explain it beautifully!!