Which condition is typically assessed during an eye exam to check for vision clarity?

Visual acuity is a fundamental measure of how clearly a person can see. During an eye exam, visual acuity tests are employed to determine the sharpness or clarity of vision. The most common method for assessing visual acuity is the Snellen chart, where patients read letters of varying sizes from a specific distance. This measurement provides essential information about how well the eyes are functioning and if corrective lenses may be needed.

While other conditions are important aspects of a comprehensive eye exam, they assess different elements of visual perception. Astigmatism relates to the curvature of the cornea or lens, which can affect visual clarity, but it does not specifically measure clarity on its own. Color vision deficiency evaluates the ability to perceive colors, while depth perception tests focus on the ability to judge distances, neither of which directly measures visual clarity like visual acuity does. Thus, visual acuity stands out as the primary assessment for clarity of vision during eye examinations.