Comparing visual acuity in preschool children using the Lea symbols and Sheridan Gardiner charts

Visual acuity measurement is a vital part of an optometric examination. The purpose of the present study was to compare visual acuity in preschool children using two charts - the Lea symbols chart and the Sheridan Gardiner chart. One hundred and fifty-three preschool children (72 boys and 81 girls) between the ages of 3 and 5 years (mean age and standard deviation 4.23 +/- 0.78 years) were recruited from five randomly selected nursery schools. Distance visual acuity was measured monocularly and binocularly after a pre-test was done. An interval of 5 minutes was allowed for testing with both charts. The ages and sexes of each child were documented. Results showed a statistical difference in visual acuities using both charts (p < 0.05). There was also a statistical difference in both charts regarding age. There was no significant gender difference between the results from each chart.