Any child who doesn’t yet know their letters can read out the row of pictures rather than struggling to match from an unfamiliar row of letters. This makes the test easier for the child and quicker to perform. Results are reliable as Kay acuity tests have a proven track record following many years of clinical use worldwide. Since this is a naming test, there should be no need to point out each picture to help the child find their place in the row – the examiner simply refers to the adajacent pictures by name. 

This test adheres to the principles of accurate crowded acuity testing. Eight pictures are used in groups of four throughout the tests (except sizes 1.0 and 0.9 where there are 2 per line). Each eye is tested with a different arrangement of pictures to avoid memory playing a part. At each acuity level the same four pictures are arranged in a different order to test the other eye, giving perfect comparison of the two acuities. The test book comprises LogMar 1.0 to -0.1 in twelve equal steps. The test book index shows Snellen sizes in feet and metres as well as LogMar, so the need to convert is eliminated.