Elsevier

Survey of Ophthalmology

Volume 42, Issue 2, September–October 1997, Pages 169-174
Survey of Ophthalmology

Warning on inaccurate Rosenbaum cards for testing near vision

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0039-6257(97)00055-6Get rights and content

Abstract

The Rosenbaum card is the most widely used handheld card for measuring near visual acuity. It was developed by Dr. J. George Rosenbaum of Cleveland, Ohio, for testing vision at the bedside of patients after cataract surgery. Millions of copies of the Rosenbaum card have been distributed free by drug companies or sold by medical supply firms. Most versions of the Rosenbaum card are inaccurate because the numbers are not scaled properly to the Snellen system. This article reviews the history of the Rosenbaum card, briefly summarizes issues raised by near vision testing, and provides standards for the manufacture of Rosenbaum near cards.

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