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Back to Basics
From Materials Evaluation, Vol. 60, No. 8, pp: 928-929.
Copyright 2002 The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc.

Testing Visual Acuity with the

Jaeger Eye Chart
by S.L. Weatherly*

than 12 inches (30.5 cm) on a standard the chart, you will see the notation J1 next
The basics need to be read or lis- Jaeger test chart (ASNT, 2001). After dis- to the paragraph with the smallest text and
tened to over and over. This is be- cussions with other NDT personnel, I real- each progressive paragraph of larger text is
cause some of us forget and others ized that confusion exists with the interpre- noted with an increase in the J number.
of us never knew. This months au- tation of these recommendations. The Also centered above each paragraph is a
thor gives us a short, easy to read following questions quickly became appar- number. The number 15 is centered above
article on understanding the use of ent. the smallest text line noted as J1. This num-
the Jaeger chart for testing visual ber represents 20/15 vision. J2 has the
acuity. This may be a Play It number 20, for 20/20 vision. As you
Again, Sam, scenario, but it is a progress to larger lettered paragraphs, the
good Back to Basics for those
who have forgotten or those who
never knew.
The Jaeger eye chart lettering size increases for lesser visual acu-
ity.
When I took my eye exam, I could read
measures near vision, the 20/20 line on the Snellen chart without
not distance vision. glasses, but when I was handed the Jaeger
eye chart and told to hold it approximately
305 mm (12 in.) from my eyes and read the
J1 line, I could not read it. At about 406 mm
Frank A. Iddings (16 in.), it became clearer and I could read
Tutorial Projects Editor it. With reading glasses, it was readable at
305 mm (12 in.). This was like trying to read
the menu at a restaurant when you keep
Does the Jaeger eye test measure dis- moving the menu further and further
Introduction tance vision, near vision or both? away. For those of you who are younger
ll personnel certifying in nonde- Does the Jaeger eye chart have to be technicians, if you dont know what Im

A structive testing (NDT) require an

eye examination. Over the years,
one of the standard reference charts has
held at exactly 305 mm (12 in.) or is 508 mm
(20 in.) an extended arms length an
acceptable distance?
talking about, wait until you are about 40
or 50 years old and it will become appar-
ent. The Jaeger eye chart measures near vi-
been the Jaeger eye chart (Figure 1). How- Why use Jaeger number one or number sion, not distance vision.
ever, when purchased, this chart does not two? The second part of the question is,
come with instructions. The following arti- One would think that with multiple years does the chart have to be held at exactly
cle explains some of my findings on the of experience in NDT, these questions 305 mm (12 in.). Some specifications state
usage of the Jaeger eye chart. would be easy to answer, but even with re- that the chart cant be held less than 305
search the answers are not all that appar- mm (12 in.) away while other specifica-
Jaegar Eye Chart Specifications ent. tions state that 356 to 406 mm (14 to 16
NDT personnel who have had to use in.) is acceptable. This seems to suggest
multiple specifications have realized, over Jaeger and Snellen Eye Chart that it is acceptable to hold the chart 356
the years, the degree of differences between Differences and Specifications mm (14 in.) away. What if I have to move
specifications when it comes to the certifi- The Snellen eye chart is the eye chart it out to arms length? The standard ac-
cation of personnel for visual acuity. NAS most of us have seen at the optometrists cepted distance, although not stated on
410 (1996) recommends Near Vision office. This is the familiar chart with the big the chart but accepted by the optometry
Jaeger #1 test chart at not less than 12 inch- E 20/200 at the top and progressively industry, is 305 to 356 mm (12 to 14 in.).
es or equivalent visual examination as de- smaller letters at the bottom of the chart Addressing the third question, Jaeger
termined by medical personnel. SNT-TC- down to 20/20 or better. This is a chart for number one is a smaller text than Jaeger
1A recommends Jaeger Number 2 or measuring visual acuity at a distance in number two and would be required de-
equivalent type and size letter at the dis- other words, how well you can see things pending on the criticality of the testing to
tance designated on the chart but not less that are far away. be performed. As mentioned previously,
The Jaeger eye chart is used for reading the J1 line is 20/15 vision, which is a visual
* The Boeing Company, 2401 E. Wardlow Rd., up close and for determining your near vi- acuity that is better than the derived aver-
Mail Code C1 054-0023, Long Beach, CA sion, which is an important issue if you are age of 20/20. It should be noted that this
90807; (562) 982-7073; fax (562) 593-9581; viewing X-ray film or looking for a crack in more restrictive requirement might undu-
e-mail <[email protected]>. a part held in your hands. When reviewing ly eliminate good inspectors. Therefore, I

928 Materials Evaluation/August 2002

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Figure 1 The Jaeger eye chart is commonly used to test near vision of NDT technicians.

would advise caution when reviewing vi- type of chart to be used and were more spe-
sual acuity requirements or generating cific regarding requirements such as the
new industry specifications. distance at which to read the chart. Howev-
er, sometimes standardization leads to
Conclusion more restrictions and increased cost. I think
Specifications that require J1 near vision that you can see the point from the discus-
and 20/30 distance vision almost seem sion above. You may technically pass the
contradictory. However, the inspector and test by holding the chart at some greater
the person performing the eye examination distance but as a professional inspector, it
must understand that one part of the state- seems that you would want to provide the
ment is asking for near vision acuity and best possible test by providing yourself
the other part is used to determine distance with the best possible vision.
acuity.
As an NDT person, I currently have to References
apply and use the various specifications to ASNT, Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A,
the best of my ability, not as a medically The American Society for Nondestructive
trained person but as one who has re- Testing, 2001.
searched the issue and has arrived at the NAS 410, MIL-STD-410E NAS Certification &
Qualification of Nondestructive Test Personnel,
best possible understanding of the specifi- Aerospace Industries Association of America,
cation to be applied. Yes, our industry may Inc., Washington, DC, 1996.
be better served if we standardized the

Materials Evaluation/August 2002 929