What kind of vision problems can be detected by testing visual acuity?

Testing visual acuity specifically measures the clarity or sharpness of vision, which is essential for identifying conditions such as near-sightedness (myopia) and far-sightedness (hyperopia). Both of these refractive errors directly affect how well a person can see objects at various distances, and visual acuity tests can quantify the extent of these issues.

Near-sightedness occurs when distant objects appear blurry because the light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina, while far-sightedness involves difficulty in seeing close objects, as the focus is behind the retina. Confirming these conditions typically relies on visual acuity assessments, allowing eye care professionals to provide the appropriate corrective lenses.

In contrast, while color blindness and depth perception issues are important aspects of vision that can affect a person's overall eyesight, they are not directly measured through standard visual acuity tests. Color blindness is identified through specific color vision tests, and depth perception is more related to binocular vision and the ability of the eyes to work together, typically evaluated through different assessments than visual acuity. Thus, the primary connection is that testing visual acuity accurately identifies problems related to the focus and clarity of vision, specifically involving near-sightedness and far-sightedness.