Person—visual acuity (left eye), code NN

Identifying and definitional attributes

• Health, Standard 01/03/2005

Value domain attributes

Representational attributes

Data element attributes

Collection and usage attributes

Record actual result for both right and left eyes:

• 1st field: Right eye
• 2nd field: Left eye.

Test wearing distance glasses if prescribed.

Use pinhole if vision less than 6/6.

One of the most often utilised tests for visual acuity uses the Snellen chart.

• At a distance of 6 metres all subjects should be able to read the 6/6 line with each eye using the proper refractive correction.
• Both eyes are to be opened and then cover one eye with the ocular occluder.
• The observer has to read out the smallest line of letters that he/she can see from the chart.
• This is to be repeated with the other eye.

Eye examination should be performed by an ophthalmologist or a suitably trained clinician:

• within five years of diagnosis and then every 1-2 years for patients whose diabetes onset was at age under 30 years
• at diagnosis and then every 1-2 years for patients whose diabetes onset was at age 30 years or more.

Source and reference attributes

Vision Australia, No 2, 1997/8; University of Melbourne

World Health Organization

US National Library of Medicine

Diabetes Control and Complications Trial: DCCT New England Journal of Medicine, 329(14), September 30, 1993

Principles of Care and Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Relational attributes