RR.2.2 Notations
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### RR.2.2 Notations

Various notations may be used to express visual acuity. Snellen (in 1862) used a fractional notation in which the numerator indicated the actual viewing distance; this notation has long been abandoned for the use of equivalent notations, where the numerator is standardized to a fixed value, regardless of the true viewing distance. In Europe the use of decimal fractions is common (1/2 = 0.5, 1/5 = 0.2); in the US the numerator is standardized at 20 (1/2 = 20/40, 1/5 = 20/100), while in Britain the numerator 6 is common (1/2 = 6/12, 1/5 = 6/30).

The linear scales on the right side of the tables are not meant for clinical records. They are required for statistical manipulations, such as calculation of differences, trends and averages and preferred for graphical presentations. They convert the logarithmic progression of visual acuity values to a linear one, based on Weber-Fechner's law, which states that proportional stimulus increases lead to linear increases in perception.

The logMAR scale is calculated as log (MAR) = log (1/V) = - log (V). LogMAR notation is widely used in scientific publications. Note that it is a scale of vision loss, since higher values indicate poorer vision. The value "0" indicates "no loss", that is visual acuity equal to the reference standard (1.0, 20/20). Normal visual acuity (which is better than 1.0 (20/20) ) is represented by negative logMAR values.

The VAS scale (VAS = Visual Acuity Score) serves the same purpose. Its formula is: 100 - 50 x logMAR or 100 + 50 x log (V). It is more user friendly, since it avoids decimal values and is more intuitive, since higher values indicate better vision. The score is easily calculated on ETDRS charts, where 1 point is credited for each letter read correctly. The VAS scale also forms the basis for the calculation of visual impairment ratings in the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

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