What does visual acuity measure?

Visual acuity measures the clarity or sharpness of vision, which is how well an individual can see details at a specific distance. It is typically assessed using an eye chart, where letters or symbols of various sizes are displayed. This measurement indicates the eye's ability to identify small letters or objects against a contrasting background, with the results often expressed as a fraction, such as 20/20.

The other options relate to different aspects of vision. Depth perception involves the ability to judge distances between objects, which relies on binocular vision and the brain's interpretation of the visual information received from both eyes. Seeing colors accurately refers to color vision, which is the ability to perceive and differentiate colors, often tested through specific color vision tests. The field of vision pertains to the total area that an individual can see when looking straight ahead, encompassing peripheral vision. Each of these measures is important for comprehensive visual health but focuses on different functions of the visual system rather than the sharpness of vision.