title: Testing visual acuity in the emergency department: a simple method of correcting refractive error by using the hand-held ophthalmoscope.
abstract: The assessment of visual acuity is an important part of the emergency ophthalmologic examination. The ability to distinguish refractive error from other etiologies of decreased visual acuity is necessary to adequately evaluate visual function. A readily available source of corrective lenses can be found in the hand-held ophthalmoscope. These lenses can be used to identify and quantitate refractive errors and assist in identifying serious ocular pathology.
mesh_terms: D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D019721:Ophthalmoscopes; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity