Which method is primarily used to evaluate the visual acuity of a patient?

The method primarily used to evaluate the visual acuity of a patient is the method of descending limits. This method involves starting with a letter size that is larger than what the patient can read and then progressively decreasing the letter size until the patient can no longer read the letters accurately. This procedure is effective because it allows for a systematic assessment of the smallest letters that can be seen clearly, helping clinicians determine the visual acuity threshold of the patient.

By utilizing this method, practitioners can effectively gauge how well a patient can see at different distances and establish a reliable measure of their vision. It is particularly useful in conjunction with standardized visual acuity charts, thereby providing an objective and quantifiable means to record visual performance. The descending approach ensures that the testing is thorough, as it narrows down the acuity measurement by gradually decreasing the difficulty level based on the patient’s responses.

Other methods mentioned, such as the method of ascending limits and the adjustment method, are not typically used for standard visual acuity testing but may be applied in other contexts of vision research or assessments.