Psychophysical Validation of a Novel Active Learning Approach for Measuring the Visual Acuity Behavioral Function

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of the quantitative visual acuity (qVA) method in measuring the visual acuity (VA) behavioral function. METHODS: We evaluated qVA performance in terms of the accuracy, precision, and efficiency of the estimated VA threshold and range in Monte Carlo simulations and a psychophysical experiment. We also compared the estimated VA threshold from the qVA method with that from the Electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (E-ETDRS) and Freiburg Visual Acuity Text (FrACT) methods. Four repeated measures with all three methods were conducted in four Bangerter foil conditions in 14 eyes. RESULTS: In both simulations and psychophysical experiment, the qVA method quantified the full acuity behavioral function with two psychometric parameters (VA threshold and VA range) with virtually no bias and with high precision and efficiency. There was a significant correlation between qVA estimates of VA threshold and range in the psychophysical experiment. In addition, qVA threshold estimates were highly correlated with those from the E-ETDRS and FrACT methods. CONCLUSIONS: The qVA method can provide an accurate, precise, and efficient assessment of the full acuity behavioral function with both VA threshold and range. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: The qVA method can accurately, precisely, and efficiently assess the full VA behavioral function. Further research will evaluate the potential value of these rich measures for both clinical research and patient care.