The app does this by testing for four things: visual acuity, astigmatism, duochrome and colour blindness. The visual acuity test is similar to the letter boards used in traditional opticians: you simply cover one eye, hold your iPad at arm’s length, and identify which letter is being shown. These letters get progressively smaller, but never small enough to trouble anyone except those that should already know they need glasses.
The astigmatism test is a lot less familiar, and asks you to identify if any black lines are darker than the others, again with one eye. We’re sure this is a legitimate test, but the app doesn’t say how it’s testing you. If you fail, you just get the option to find a local optician or watch a video on why you should have an eye test, which is the same after every test failure regardless of which test you have been unsuccessful at.
The colour blindness test is where Vision Test really shines, however. Usually absent from a standard eye test, the colour test gives you four numbers to identify from di fferent coloured backgrounds. These tests are far more e ffective than the previous ones, as they even tell you what people with colour de ciencies may see, as opposed to just failing you. Our only criticism is that there could have been more tests, especially as with a multiple choice setup some answers could be guessed.
Being free, the presentation is a bit sparse, and we were surprised when the optician finder didn’t work, even though we had a working Wi-Fi connection. But Vision Test could be the app to get you to make a sight-saving trip to the opticians, and that makes it worth a download. It lacks information, but Vision Test o ffers worthwhile exams whose results could surprise you.
A free optician on your iPad
Price: Free , Developer: 3 Sided Cube Design Ltd
Rating ★★★★★
taken from : iPad 2 App Directory Volume 2 -Imagine Publishing Ltd
