User:Alexcurbeloo/sandbox

History
The concept of using eye glasses in order to improve eyesight has been prevalent since the late thirteenth century. As science progressively improved, reputable doctors within the ophthalmology field like Cornelius Donders began to describe a clear definition as to what should be done in order to improve timeless impairments of a patient's vision. Although it slowly became clear what the procedure was in order to benefit a patient through his work, there was no uniform exam in order to prove the impairment in someone’s vision. Around this time, the knowledge within the field of ophthalmology grew immensely. Previous studies led to doctors (worldwide) determining a way in which visual acuity could be examined. German eye doctor, Heinrich Kuehler proposed the first examination in order to test visual acuity. Shortly after, an Austrian doctor, Eduard Jaeger created a chart which tested near vision acuity. Although the general concept of the eye chart was introduced during the 1830s by doctors mentioned previously, the most effective chart to test visual acuity at the time was refined in 1862 by Dutch optometrist Herman Snellen. The conception of his chart began when Snellen became Donder's first assistant. Snellen worked closely with Dr. Donders as he determined vision impairments patients had by having them look at a chart on the wall. Donders eventually passed on his responsibilities to Snellen because he was very occupied with other disciplines of science like physiology. Because of Donders' fame and Snellen’s natural talent towards the field of ophthalmology, many doctors were enticed to visit in order to share ideas with them in Utrecht. As he worked closely through his practice, Snellen created his own chart that measured visual acuity. Snellen’s eye chart became the first of its type, hence it being the most scientifically reliable design in order to test vision distance in that time period. Snellen’s success within his charts was because they differed from past models that measured visual acuity. His chart varied the sizes of stimuli. Snellen’s eye chart opened the door to testing visual acuity, hence it became the global standard. The high demand for this chart was everywhere. Even japanese ophthalmologist Ema Tenko, who studied under Snellen, created an eye chart that was used in Japan. Because of the creation of eye charts, examinations like vision screening (roughly beginning in 1899) within schools took place in order to test children’s eyes. Optotype, another term that could define an eye chart, remains the most common exam in order to test standard vision.