Beyond 20/20: new clinical methods to quantify vision performance.

Objective: To describe the design, the sensitivity, and the application of new methods to quantify visual performance.

Methods: The super vision test-night vision goggle (SVT-NVG) is a new clinical letter chart that measures high- and low-contrast vision under daytime and simulated night conditions. The cone contrast test (CCT) is a computer-based color test that readily diagnoses type and severity of color deficiency.

Results: The SVT-NVG reveals subtle decrements from normal not detected by standard visual acuity. The CCT shows 100% sensitivity for the detection of hereditary red or green color deficiency and reveals acquired deficiency as an early sign of disease.

Conclusions: The SVT-NVG and CCT provide rapid, sensitive indices of color and spatial vision potentially linkable to real-world operational demands.