Determination of a Standard Continuous-Text Print Size for People with Low Vision

Ejukonemu B.O.M.¹ and Akpalaba R.E.U.²

Department of Optometry, Faculty of Allied health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University Kano.
Department of Optometry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City.

Corresponding Author: Ejukonemu B.O.M Email: ejuks2001@yahoo.com Phone: +234 8033281569

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish a standard print size that enables low vision persons to access print materials and improve reading performance. The case-control study design was used for this study. Data were collected from 200 participants with normal vision (control group) and 200 with low vision (study group) who attended ECWA eye Hospital Kano. Normal continuous-text print size (N10/J5/0.75M) was presented at 30-40cm to 200 emmetropes/corrected emmetropes (control group). The reading-aloud-speed (RAS) was taken and recorded in words per minute (wpm). The mean reading- aloud-speed (MRS) for this group was recorded as MRS1. Continuous-text prints of sizes N10/0.75M, N18/2M, N24/2.5M, N36/4M and N48/5M were presented at acceptable working distance to 200 literate low vision patients corrected and/or enhanced to N5/J1/0.37M (single letters). The RAS for each of these text sizes (RAS1-5) were recorded in wpm, and the mean values were calculated respectively. The result shows that the average RAS (99.47 wpm) for the control group when compared with the study group, matched with the MRS3(100.93wpm) for print size N18/2M of the control group. Although statistical analysis showed a signiﬁcant diﬀerence in the reading speed between the two groups (F= 31.67; P<0.05), Post Hoc analysis showed that the mean reading aloud speed (100.93 wpm) used to read N18/2M print size for the study group showed no signiﬁcant diﬀerence with the (99.47 wpm) used to read print size N10/J5/0.75M for the control group (p>0.05). The N18/2M print size is therefore recommended as a standard print for best reading performance among low vision patients.

Keywords: Standard-print-size. Large prints. Non-optical aids