visual acuity

USAGE SUMMARY

"visual acuity" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it when referring to one's ability to see or observe clearly. For example, "The optometry test revealed that the patient's visual acuity was 20/20."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Visual acuity, hearing, taste, and smell decline.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such eyes provide poor visual acuity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But then visual acuity was not his forte.

The New Yorker

This sharpened their visual acuity and conferred an evolutionary advantage.

The New York Times - Books

visual acuity.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

visual acuity right eye.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

best corrected visual acuity.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Reduced Snellen's visual acuity.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

He showed reduced visual acuity.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Visual acuity remained 20/400.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Visual acuity was counting fingers.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a patient's vision test results, use "visual acuity" followed by a specific measurement (e.g. 20/20) to provide precise information.

Common error

Avoid using "visual acuity" interchangeably with general terms like "eyesight" or "vision". "Visual acuity" specifically refers to the sharpness or clarity of vision, not overall visual health or perception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "visual acuity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a specific attribute of vision, namely its sharpness or clarity. Ludwig examples confirm its role in describing the quality of sight.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "visual acuity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that denotes the sharpness or clarity of vision. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is particularly common in scientific and medical contexts. The authoritative sources, primarily from scientific publications, reinforce this observation. To ensure precision, it's advisable to use "visual acuity" with specific measurements when detailing vision test results and avoid using it as a general substitute for "vision". Alternatives such as "vision sharpness" can be used to diversify language while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharpness of vision

Reorders the words but maintains the core meaning.

eyesight sharpness

Highlights the sharpness aspect of eyesight.

vision sharpness

Emphasizes the sharpness aspect of vision.

clarity of sight

Focuses on the clearness and distinctness of vision.

ocular clarity

Emphasizes the clearness of vision related to the eye itself.

visual resolution

Uses a more technical term related to image detail.

optical resolution

Emphasizes the resolution capability of the eye's optical system.

sight accuracy

Highlights the precision and correctness of vision.

discriminating vision

Focuses on the ability to distinguish fine details.

perceptual clarity

Highlights the clearness of visual perception.

FAQs

How is "visual acuity" typically measured?

Visual acuity is commonly measured using a Snellen chart, where individuals identify letters or symbols of decreasing size from a standard distance. The result is often expressed as a fraction, such as 20/20, indicating normal vision.

What factors can affect "visual acuity"?

Various factors can influence visual acuity, including refractive errors (like myopia or hyperopia), eye diseases (such as cataracts or macular degeneration), and neurological conditions. Age and environmental factors can also play a role.

What does 20/20 vision mean in terms of "visual acuity"?

20/20 vision indicates that a person can see objects clearly at 20 feet what individuals with normal vision should also be able to see at 20 feet. It's a standard measure of normal visual acuity, but better than 20/20 acuity is possible.

What are some alternative ways to describe someone's vision sharpness instead of "visual acuity"?

While "visual acuity" is the standard term, you can use phrases like "vision sharpness", "clarity of sight", or "sharpness of vision" to describe the clearness of someone's eyesight depending on the context.