International Reading Speed Texts Research Articles

Comparison of binocular reading speed in patients with strabismus without amblyopia versus controls

Amblyopia has been shown to slow reading speed. Limited literature exists on reading speed in strabismus without amblyopia. Our study compares binocular reading speed in patients with strabismus without amblyopia versus normal controls. We conducted a prospective study with 48 participants: 12 childhood-onset (onset <8 years of age) strabismus without amblyopia and 36 age- and education level-matched controls. Inclusion criteria were age 14-50 years, education >9 years, primary language English, best-corrected visual acuity >20/30 distance, and >N8 near either eye. Exclusion criteria were presence of other eye pathology or neurologic/cognitive conditions that may affect reading and previous treatment for strabismus/amblyopia. International Reading Speed Texts were used for binocular reading speed assessment. Each participant read 2 passages (passage 1 and 8), following all International Reading Speed Texts instructions. Reading time was measured using a stopwatch. Reading speed was calculated in words per minute (WPM). Mean age for the strabismus group was 28.3 ± 11.1 and for the control group was 28.2 ± 11.0 years (P = 0.96). Mean education level for strabismus group was 14.2 ± 2.4 and control group was 13.8 ± 2.5 years (P = 0.62). Mean binocular reading speed for passage 1 for strabismus group was 192.0 and for control group was 220.0 WPM (P = 0.01). Mean binocular reading speed for passage 8 for strabismus group was 201.3 and for control group was 226.2 WPM (P = 0.04). Patients with strabismus (without amblyopia) had slower binocular reading speed compared with controls. Further studies with eye tracking may provide more information. Strabismus, even without amblyopia, may affect reading performance and consequently vision-related quality of life.

Validation of the Norwegian International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) in adult readers with normal vision

There is a lack of standardised reading tests in Norwegian suitable for adults and persons with visual impairment (VI). The International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) measure reading performance of longer paragraphs. The aim of this project was to translate and validate the IReST in Norwegian. Each of the German, English and Swedish IReST were translated into Norwegian. The translations were matched for length, linguistic difficulty, and structure, and piloted in five adults. Reading speed was assessed in 25 readers (41 years, SD = 10) with normal vision and the readings were recorded. Reading speeds were analysed for variability between texts and participants. There were no statistically significant differences between the ten texts (135 words, 765 characters [SD=18], word variation index 91.8% [SD = 0.9%]). Reading speed in adult readers was 204 (SD=31) words/min. There was no difference across texts for any of the participants (p&gt;0.05). Reading speed variance was 77.4% between subjects and 22.6% between texts. The Norwegian IReST is standardised and comparable to the international IReST tests. Reading speed falls within normative values in adult readers. The Norwegian IReST will be a valuable tool in assessing reading in clinical health care, rehabilitation and educational practice of adult and visually impaired readers and in reading research.

Impact of TearCare on Reading Speed in Patients with Dry Eye Disease.

To evaluate the impact of TearCare (TC) treatment on clinical, quality of life, and functional visual outcome metrics in patients with dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland disease (MGD). This is a prospective, single-center clinical trial. Adults with MGD and a DED diagnosis and tear break-up time (TBUT) <10seconds were included. All subjects had at least 20/40 vision and no surgery or new treatment for DED within 60 days prior to enrollment. All patients had one baseline visit prior to undergoing TC and one follow-up visit 1 month after TC. At each visit, the meibomian gland secretion score (MGSS), TBUT, and corneal fluorescein staining (KFL) were assessed. DED symptoms were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (VFQ-25), and the Fatigue Severity Scale. Reading speed was determined through the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST), Minnesota Low Vision Reading Test (MNREAD), and Wilkins Rate of Reading Test (WRRT). Thirty-two subjects were included. The average age was 55.9 years. Sixteen (52%) participants had a clinically significant improvement in reading speed after treatment with TC, defined as >10 words per minute increase in their IReST score. Improvement on the IReST and the MNREAD reached statistical significance (p = 0.012 and p = 0.028, respectively). OSDI scores significantly decreased and VFQ-25 scores significantly increased after TC treatment (p < 0.001). All of the clinical exam parameters showed statistically significant improvements after treatment (p < 0.001). TC is an effective treatment both clinically and with respect to visual function. Patients who had TC exhibited improvements in quality of life and improved reading speed after a single treatment. This treatment should be frequently considered and utilized to reduce the disease burden of DED related to MGD.

Reading Speed Using the International Reading Speed Texts in a Normal Canadian Cohort.

Background The International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) are commonly used to measure reading speed, which may be affected in many eye conditions. They were originally tested in a younger British population. Our study evaluates IReST in a normal Canadian population. Methodology A normal Canadian cohort in Ontario was prospectively recruited with age >14 years, education >9 years, English as the primary language, and best-corrected visual acuity >20/25 distance and >N8 near in each eye. Participants with eye conditions and neurological/cognitive problems were excluded. Each participant consecutively read two IReST passages (passages 1 and 8). Reading speed in words per minute (WPM) was calculated. One-sample t-test was used to compare our cohort to published IReST standards. Results A total of 112 participants were included (35 male, 77 female). The mean age was 40 ± 17 years (14-18 years: 12; 18-35 years: 34; 35-60 years: 53; 60-75 years: 13). The mean reading speed for passage 1 was 211 ± 33 WPM compared to the published IReST standard of 236 ± 29 WPM (p < 0.0001). The mean reading speed for passage 8 was 218 ± 34 WPM compared to the IReST standard of 237 ± 24 WPM (p < 0.0001). Thus, our cohort read slower for both passages compared to IReST standards. The mean reading speed for passages 1 and 8 was the highest for the 14-18-year (231 and 239, respectively) and the lowest for the 60-75-year group (195 and 192, respectively). Conclusions Normal older populations have slower reading compared to younger populations. The slower reading in our cohort may also be because the passages were in British rather than in Canadian English. It is important that the IReST is evaluated in different populations to ensure reliable comparison standards for future research.

Reading speed in school-age children with intermittent exotropia.

Reading speed in intermittent exotropia (IXT) children has been minimally examined. This study assessed reading speed in school-age children with IXT and determined clinical characteristics of IXT that impacted their reading ability. We compared the reading speed of 63 school-age (10–14 years) children with IXT to 44 age-matched normal counterparts. In addition, the correlation between reading speed and clinical characteristics of IXT were evaluated. The reading speed in children with IXT was 231 ± 51 CPM, while reading speed in normal counterparts was 257 ± 33 CPM. Age, gender were found to be factors associated with reading speed in children with IXT. After adjusting for the age and gender, we found a significant correlation between the LogTNO and reading speed in IXT group based on a generalized linear model (p = 0.014). These data show that reading speed was slower in school-age children with IXT assessed with the International Reading Speed Texts. When age and gender were adjusted, poor stereo function at near was found to be related with a slower reading speed.

Differentiating memory clinic patients and healthy volunteers using machine‐learning analysis of speech and eye movements during a reading task

AbstractBackgroundClinical trials investigating novel disease‐modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are increasingly targeting participants with preclinical or early‐stage neurodegeneration. Artificial intelligence may improve ascertainment of these individuals and thus enrich clinical trial cohorts. We examined classification accuracy of machine learning analysis of speech and gaze data to distinguish memory clinic patients from controls.MethodWe recruited individuals with a clinical diagnosis of AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and subjective memory complaints (SMC) from a subspecialty memory clinic, and controls from the community. Clinical diagnosis was ascertained by trained Behavioural Neurologists aided by cognitive tests and neuroimaging. Participants read a paragraph from the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST). Speech was recorded, automatically transcribed, and manually verified. Eye movements were recorded with an infrared eye‐tracker. Features extracted included lexical and acoustic parameters for speech, fixation and saccade‐related features from gaze, and novel multimodal features leveraging speech and gaze signals in combination. We explored predictive models combining using logistic regression, Gaussian Naïve Bayes classifiers, and Random Forests.ResultHere we report baseline IReST task data from 60 clinic patients (12% SMC, 30% MCI, 58% AD, mean age 73 ± 9, 52% female) and 66 controls (mean age 65 ± 9, 68% female). Best speech‐based models distinguished patients from controls with an Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) of 0.75 (95% CI 0.72‐0.78). Best gaze models yielded an AUC of 0.73 (0.71‐0.75). Models integrating speech and gaze data yielded best results with AUC 0.78 (0.76‐0.80). We have previously reported data from a separate task where participants describe the Cookie Theft photo from the Boston Aphasia Battery while undergoing infrared eye‐tracking; the best AUC model combining speech and gaze was 0.80 (0.78 ‐ 0.92).ConclusionMachine‐learning based analysis of speech and gaze data demonstrates promising classification accuracy in distinguishing memory clinic patients from healthy controls, particularly when leveraging speech and gaze data in combination. We will explore the additional classification accuracy of combining data from multiple tasks.

Validation of the International Reading Speed Texts in a Sample of Older (60+) Canadian Adults.

On average, older adults (60+) with normal vision read the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) 37.8 words per minute slower than the standardized values provided by the IReST manufacturer. When assessing reading speed in older adults, clinicians should bear in mind that the IReST norms do not account for these age-related differences. The purpose of this study was to validate the IReST in an English-speaking Canadian sample of older adults (60+). Canadian English-speaking older adults (n = 25) read all 10 IReST aloud using the same protocol from the original IReST validation study. There were significant differences between the older adult sample and the published IReST values for each text (mean difference, -37.84; 95% confidence interval, -41.34 to -34.34). Reading speeds of older (60+) Canadian adults fell outside of the standardized values of the English language IReST. Researchers/clinicians who wish to assess older adults' reading speed using the IReST ought to take this discrepancy into account.

Challenges in Reading Arabic among Children with Dyslexia.

There are limited studies assessing reading performance and children's difficulties with dyslexia especially when reading Arabic, a language that has a substantially different script from English and other Latin-based languages. This study aimed to (1) measure reading performance in children with dyslexia by acuity level and (2) conduct an indirect comparison between the effects of dyslexia on Arabic versus English readers. Twenty children aged 9 to 12 years with dyslexia and 30 controls aged 9 to 11 years were included in the study. Reading performance was evaluated using maximum reading speed, reading acuity, and critical print size (CPS). Two Arabic charts, the Balsam Alabdulkader-Leat chart and the International Reading Speed Texts chart, were used to evaluate reading performance. The number of errors was calculated and plotted against print size. ANOVA revealed a significant difference between the two groups in all reading performance measures (P < .05). Reading speed for children with dyslexia was significantly lower than that for the control group (33 vs. 90 standard-length words per minute). Critical print sizes were 0.25 and 0.10 logMAR for children with dyslexia and the control group, respectively. Reading acuity was worse for children with dyslexia in comparison with the control group. Error number above the CPS was significantly higher in children with dyslexia than in the control group. Reading speed measures were lower for children with dyslexia compared with controls. Children with dyslexia required larger CPS to read at their maximum speed, indicating that larger print sizes may improve reading with greater speed. The difference in reading performance measures between controls and children with dyslexia is higher when reading Arabic than when reading English. This suggests that the intricate Arabic script and crowding may more strongly affect children with dyslexia reading Arabic.

Is the “Preferred” Color Temperature Transferable from Near-Vision to Ambient Home Lighting? An Exploratory Study with People Who Have Central Visual Field Loss

Introduction: The literature supports the importance of adequate lighting for people with visual impairments, but little is known regarding ambient color temperature at home, and the evaluation process is not standardized. Thus, this study aimed to test a method for evaluating the preferred ambient color temperature, established with a near-vision assessment in clinic, and by using standardized tools to evaluate the effects at home for people with central visual field loss. Methods: An exploratory quasi-experimental study was conducted with three interventions and six observation times. A convenience sample of eight women and two men with central visual field loss, aged 64–91 years with visual acuity between 6/21 (20/69) and 6/48 (20/158), was recruited. Two certified low vision therapists realized evaluations with Minnesota Low-Vision Reading Test, International Reading Speed Texts, a Visual Comfort Scale, a Digital Light Meter LX1330B, and Home Environment Lighting Assessment. The LuxIQ and various illuminated magnifiers were used for clinical interventions. Home lighting interventions were individualized and aimed to apply participants’ preferred color temperature in a selected room. Results: The use of the LuxIQ and illuminated magnifiers showed positive effects in near-vision for all participants by increasing reading speed and visual comfort. Home lighting interventions in participants’ kitchen ( n = 4), living room ( n = 4), or office ( n = 2) also had beneficial effects on their visual comfort and ability to perform activities of daily living. The choice of preferred color temperature was transferable from near-vision to ambient lighting for all participants but one and varied widely. Discussion: Innovative preliminary data support the importance of ambient color temperature for people with visual impairments and suggest an efficient standardized evaluation method. Further research is needed to obtain statistically significant empirical evidence in this field. Implications for practitioners: It could be beneficial for low vision therapists to evaluate the individual ambient color temperature preferences of people with visual impairments by using standardized tools.

Validation of the International Reading Speed Texts in a Canadian Sample.

The International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) is a valid measure of reading speed in a Canadian sample. However, if clinicians desire to assess reading comprehension using the IReST, this will significantly reduce reading speeds of individuals with normal vision or reduced visual acuity and therefore should use the values presented here. The purposes of this study are (1) to validate the IReST in an English-speaking Canadian sample and (2) to examine how reading comprehension questions and reduced visual acuity affect reading speed on the IReST. For study 1, Canadian English speakers (n = 25) read all 10 IReST following the procedures used in the original IReST validation. For study 2, Canadian English speakers (n = 50) read all 10 IReST, half with normal/corrected-to-normal vision and half with reduced visual acuity, and were asked reading comprehension questions. No significant differences were found between Canadian sample and the published IReST values (in all cases, P > .05; mean difference [Mdiff] = -5.30 to +11.43; Cohen d = -0.15 to +0.27; Bayes factors = 0.41, 0.09). Assessing reading comprehension with multiple-choice questions on the IReST significantly reduced reading speeds in the normal vision condition (Mdiff = 25.3; 95% confidence interval, -16.7 to -34.1) and in the simulated impairment condition (Mdiff = 59.3; 95% confidence interval, -47.7 to -71). The IReST is a valid measure that can be used to assess reading speed in a Canadian English-speaking sample. If researchers/clinicians wish to assess both reading speed and comprehension, using multiple-choice reading comprehension questions, then the values provided by the IReST will likely underestimate an individual's true reading speed in individuals with normal/corrected-to-normal vision or reduced visual acuity.

Comparing Reading Speeds for Reading Standardized Single Sentences and Paragraphs in Patients with Maculopathy

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare reading speeds (RS) of either paragraphs of text or single sentences in patients with maculopathy by investigating the repeatability of RS to decide which text type to use in studies on patients with maculopathy. Methods: RS was measured for standardized texts in 25 participants with a central scotoma due to maculopathy (mean age 77.8 years ± 9.9 SD, mean binocular visual acuity 0.65 logMAR (±0.85 SD), median magnification requirement 3-fold). Reading 3 single sentences taken from the Radner reading charts (sample #1, #2, and #3) of 14 words and reading 3 paragraphs of International Reading Speed Texts (IReST, sample # 3, #6, and #10) with a mean of 132 (±3.2 SD) words, each in German, were compared. The 6 texts were read aloud in random order from a closed-circuit TV system, with size adjusted according to the individual magnification requirement. Reading time was measured by stopwatch, and speed was calculated in correctly read words per minute (wpm). Differences in RS depending on text length (single sentence vs. paragraph) and text sample were calculated by the Bland-Altman analysis. Results: The mean RS showed no significant difference between 2 charts of the same kind (sentences: 93 wpm ± 37 SD; paragraphs: 95 wpm ± 38 SD). RS differences between 2 charts were lower in paragraphs than in single sentences. Highest correlations of RS between all 6 texts existed between the 3 IReST text samples (r = 0.98, 0.98, and 0.98) compared with the 3 Radner sentences (r = 0.89, 0.81, and 0.90). The inter-chart reliability (coefficient of repeatability) was smaller for the paragraphs (12.9 wpm) than for the single sentences (36.4 wpm). Conclusion: In patients with maculopathy, single sentences are well suited for single measurement of RS. For repeated measurements (e.g., monitoring the course of a reading disorder or assessing effects of interventions), paragraphs are preferable because of their lower variability of RS between the paragraphs.

Visual rehabilitation of patients with corneal diseases

BackgroundAlthough most patients with visual impairment due to corneal diseases can be treated successfully with surgery, some require visual rehabilitation to restore reading ability. To evaluate the best LVAs especially in terms of reading speed and characterize this specific patient group we performed a prospective, randomized cross-over trial.MethodsAll 34 patients underwent a detailed examination (slit-lamp, funduscopy, SD-OCT, ETDRS) as screening. Only patients with corneal diseases without other ocular diseases were included. Reading-speed was assessed with International-Reading-Speed-Texts (IReST) consecutively with five different LVAs (low vision aids) during one day in a randomized cross-over design. Corneal haze was quantified with corneal densitometry (Pentacam).ResultsPatients were either visually impaired (n = 28), severely impaired (n = 4) or legally blind (n = 2). Patients read significantly faster with LVAs (p < 0.0001). Fastest reading speed could be achieved with video magnifier (CCTV). Optical magnifier and portable-electronic magnifier enabled significantly lower reading speeds (p < 0.01). In a subgroup of patients (VA < 3/60,n = 6) black background enabled patients to read significantly faster compared to white background (p = 0.03).ConclusionPatients with low magnification requirement can be treated successfully with optical LVAs and portable-electronic magnifiers. More severely afflicted patients need a CCTV. Black background enables fastest reading-speeds, probably due to less blinding. Visual impairment can be estimated with corneal densitometry. Our trial confirms the capability of LVAs to successfully restore the reading ability in patients with corneal diseases, which is a crucial part of visual rehabilitation.Trial registrationThis trial was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register as DRKS00010887 at 09.08.2016.

Detecting vision loss in intermediate age-related macular degeneration: A comparison of visual function tests.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of visual function tests in intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD). A total of 62 subjects (38 patients with iAMD and 24 controls) were included and underwent several functional assessments: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low luminance visual acuity (LLVA), visual acuity (VA) measured with the Moorfields Vanishing Optotypes Acuity Charts (MAC), contrast sensitivity with the Pelli-Robson test, reading speed using the International Reading Speed texts (IReST) and mesopic and dark-adapted microperimetry (S-MAIA, CenterVue, Padova, Italy). Groups were compared using non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum tests and ROC analyses. Linear regression was used to control for confounding. Results showed that all visual function test performances except the IReST were significantly reduced in iAMD patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). These effects did not alter after controlling for age and sex. Best discrimination between iAMD and controls yield the combination of LLVA and contrast sensitivity as well as MAC-VA and contrast sensitivity (ROC area under the curve 0.95 and 0.93, respectively). Our results suggest that LLVA, MAC-VA, contrast sensitivity and mesopic and dark-adapted microperimetry can capture visual impairment characteristic for iAMD. Best discrimination against iAMD is achieved with a combination of two tests.

Association of Visual Function Measures with Drusen Volume in Early Stages of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PurposeTo assess which visual function measures are most strongly associated with overall retinal drusen volume in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsA total of 100 eyes (16 eyes with early AMD, 62 eyes with intermediate AMD, and 22 eyes from healthy controls) were recruited in this cross-sectional study. All subjects underwent several functional assessments: best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low-luminance visual acuity (LLVA), visual acuity (VA) measured with the Moorfields Acuity Chart (MAC-VA), contrast sensitivity with the Pelli–Robson test, reading speed using the International Reading Speed texts, and mesopic and dark-adapted microperimetry. Drusen volume was automatically determined based on optical coherence tomography using an approach based on convolutional neural networks. The relationship between drusen volume and visual function was assessed with linear regressions controlling for confounders.ResultsMean drusen volume and MAC-VA differed significantly among all AMD stages and controls (P < 0.001). In univariate linear regression, LLVA, MAC-VA, contrast sensitivity, and mesopic and dark-adapted microperimetry were significantly negatively associated with the overall drusen volume (all P < 0.006). After controlling for AMD stage, age, and the presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits, MAC-VA and mesopic and dark-adapted microperimetry were still significantly associated with drusen volume (P = 0.008, P = 0.023, and P = 0.022, respectively).ConclusionsOur results suggest that MAC-VA, as well as mesopic and dark-adapted microperimetry, might indicate structural changes related to drusen volume in early stages of AMD.

Assessing Variability in Reading Performance with the New Greek Standardized Reading Speed Texts (IReST)

This article evaluates the standardized Greek version of the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) set, which enriches interlanguage comparisons and international clinical studies of reading performance. Moreover, it investigates how specific textual and subject-related characteristics modulate the variability of reading speed across texts and readers. The purpose of this study was to develop a standardized Greek version of the IReST set and investigate how specific textual and subject-related factors modulate the variability of reading speed across texts and readers. The English IReST texts were translated to Greek and matched for length, content, and linguistic difficulty. The Greek IReSTs were presented at a distance of 40 cm and size of 1 M to assess reading speeds of 25 normally sighted native speakers (age range, 18 to 35 years). The participants read the texts aloud while reading time was measured by stopwatch. Reading performance included measurement of reading speed in three units of analysis. Reading efficiency was assessed using a word-level oral reading task. Statistical analysis included evaluation of subject- and text-related variability, as well as correlations between reading speed and specific textual and subject-related factors. The average reading speed between texts was 208 ± 24 words/min, 450 ± 24 syllables/min, and 1049 ± 105 characters/min. Differences between readers accounted for the 76.6%, whereas differences across texts accounted for the 23.4% of the total variability of reading speed. Word length (in syllables per word) and median word frequency showed a statistically significant contribution to the variability of reading speed (r = 0.95 and 0.70, respectively). Reading speed was also statistically correlated with word reading efficiency (r = 0.68). The addition of the Greek version in the IReST language pack is expected to be a valuable tool for clinical practice and research, enriching interlanguage comparisons and international studies of reading performance.

AB104. Validation of the international reading speed texts in a Canadian sample

Background: The International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) were developed in Europe as a standardized measure to assess continuous reading in normally sighted and visually impaired individuals. The IReST is used throughout the United States and Canada to assess reading speed; however, the normative values may not be valid in North America (NA). Additionally there are no normative values for individuals with visual impairments. The aim of this study was to validate the IReSTs in a normally sighted English-speaking NA sample with and without a simulated reduction in visual acuity.

Preliminary study on reading speed test with IReST for normally-sighted young Chinese readers

Objective: To assess the reading speed of normally-sighted young Chinese with the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) Chinese version, and evaluate the normal range of the texts, the equivalence of the ten different texts and the potential clinical value. Methods: Evaluation of diagnostic techniques. Participants aged 18 to 35 years old with junior high school or above education and best corrected visual acuity no less than 0.6 were recruited. Best corrected visions of both eyes and binocular vision were tested, and ocular and nervous system diseases were excluded with slit-lamp microscope and funduscope. All the ten texts were read aloud at a distance of 40cm one by one according to a random sequence for each participant. Reading speeds were calculated based on the reading time measured with a stopwatch and number of characters read correctly. The procedure was repeated once again a week later. Data were collected with Epidata and further analyzed with R software. Data accorded with normal distribution and homogeneity of variance were compared by t-test, or by rank sum test. Results: One hundred and three volunteers aged (26.0±2.8) years old participated in the survey. Among them, 66% were female, 96.1% had college education, 53.4% wear glasses in daily life. The best corrected vision of both distance and near were 1.0 (decimal). For the first test, average reading speed for all the participants and texts was (295±51) characters/min,much faster than the normal range provided by the reading cards. No significant difference was found between different texts, and the biggest variance between texts was 11 characters/min(P>0.05). The average reading speed of the second test was (315±53) characters/min, which was faster than the first one (P<0.05) . No statistic relationship was found between reading speed and age, education level or wearing of glasses. However, women read faster than men, and significant difference was found between male and female volunteers in 5 texts during the first test. Conclusions: Normally-sighted young Chinese readers read faster than the normal range provided by IReST cards. There is significant variance of reading speed between different individuals. Although learning effect due to the repeated tests should be considered, the ten texts are of favorable consistency. IReST can be a useful tool for assessing reading performance, especially for comparing results before and after interventions with different texts. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 120-124).

Developing a Logarithmic Chinese Reading Acuity Chart.

An individual's reading ability cannot be reliably predicted from his/her letter acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field extent. We developed a set of Chinese reading acuity charts (C-READ) to assess the reading ability of Chinese readers, based on the collective wisdom of previously published reading acuity charts, especially the MNRead and the Radner Reading Charts. The C-READ consists of three charts. Each consists sixteen 12-character simplified Chinese sentences crafted from first- to third-grade textbooks. One hundred eighteen native Chinese-speaking college students (aged 22.1 ± 2.1 years) with normal or corrected to normal near vision (-0.26 ± 0.05 logMAR) were included in the study to develop the C-READ charts, to test the homogeneity of the three charts, and to validate the C-READ against the text paragraphs from the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) with corrected and uncorrected near vision. The reading acuity, critical print size, and maximum reading speed for young normal native Chinese-speaking readers were 0.16 ± 0.05 logMAR, 0.24 ± 0.06 logMAR, and 273.44 ± 34.37 characters per minute (mean ± SD), respectively. The reliability test revealed no significant differences among the three C-READ charts and no significant test order effect in the three reading parameters. Regression analyses showed that the IReST reading speed could be reliably predicted by the C-READ maximum reading speed under the corrected near-vision condition (adjusted R = 0.72) and by C-READ maximum reading speed and critical print size under the uncorrected near-vision condition (adjusted R = 0.69). The three C-READ charts are very comparable to each other, and there is no significant order effect. Reading test results can accurately predict continuous text reading performance quantified by the IReST reading speed over a wide range of refractive errors. The C-READ is a reliable and valid clinical instrument for quantifying reading performance in simplified Chinese readers.

Visual and personal characteristics are associated with reading performance in normally sighted adults

BackgroundVisual acuity (VA) only slightly explains variability in reading performance, whereas other visual and non‐visual parameters have been reported to influence reading performance; however, in ophthalmologic and optometric clinical practice and research, where standardised reading tests are used, many of these parameters are often neglected. The purpose of this study was to give insight into how various visual and non‐visual parameters are associated with reading performance in normally sighted subjects. In addition, reading speed over time was investigated to observe the influence of prolonged reading on standardised test performance.MethodsReading speed and the number of mistakes were assessed with long text paragraphs obtained from the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) and short sentences obtained from the Radner Reading Charts in 71 persons (mean age: 55 years, range: 18 to 86 years) with a binocular distance VA of logMAR 0.20 or better. For each of the variables (distance and near VA, contrast sensitivity, stray light, age, sex, educational level, habitual reading hours and reading affinity), the association with reading performance was investigated with multivariate linear regression models. Reading performance over time was assessed with linear mixed models.ResultsContrast sensitivity was independently associated with reading speed (IReST paragraphs p = 0.002, Radner sentences p = 0.021). An interaction between age and education was found for both reading tests (p = 0.001), at an older age, reading speed was less influenced by educational level. Reading speed remained stable over time.ConclusionThe present study shows that contrast sensitivity was independently associated with reading speed and an interaction effect was found between age and education. As these tests are easy to administer, it is recommended to assess them in clinical practice and scientific research. When using standardised tests in healthy subjects, prolonged reading proved not to be an issue for reading durations up to about 23 minutes.

Adding access to a video magnifier to standard vision rehabilitation: initial results on reading performance and well-being from a prospective, randomized study.

Both optical and electronic magnification are available to patients with low vision. Electronic video magnifiers are more expensive than optical magnifiers, but they offer additional benefits, including variable magnification and contrast. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of access to a video magnifier (VM) added to standard comprehensive vision rehabilitation (VR). In this prospective study, 37 subjects with central field loss were randomized to receive standard VR (VR group, 18 subjects) or standard VR plus VM (VM group, 19 subjects). Subjects read the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST), a bank check, and a phone number at enrollment, at 1 month, and after occupational therapy (OT) as indicated to address patient goals. The Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire, a version of the Activity Inventory (AI), and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) were administered at enrollment, 1 month, after OT, 1 month later, and 1 year after enrollment. Assessments at enrollment and 1 month later were evaluated. At 1 month, the VM group displayed significant improvement in reading continuous print as measured by the IReST (P = 0.01) but did not differ on IVI, AI, or DASS. From enrollment to 1 month all subjects improved in their ability to spot read (phone number and check; P < 0.01 for both). The VM group improved in their ability to find and read a number in a phone book more than the VR group at 1 month after initial consultation (P = 0.02). All reported better well-being (P = 0.02). All subjects reported better well-being on the IVI. The VM group read faster and was better at two spot reading tasks but did not differ from the VR group in other outcome measures.