14 DAY TRIAL // Acuity is one of the handful of free iPhone apps I've had the pleasure of testing this week. Developed by a company called Intellicore, Acuity is a powerful questionnaire-based application that can accurately tell you whether or not you have good eye sight. Ever had the impression you might have trouble distinguishing certain colors? Acuity may just confirm that for you.
The application features two series of tests – one for visual acuity, the other for color blindness. While anyone can guess what the acuity test is about (hold the iPhone far away, cover one eye and read a bunch of single letters and figures), the official color-blindness test from Dr. Ishihara is something a bit more complex, and a bit more interesting.
In 1917, Dr Ishihara published his tests while he was a a professor at the University of Tokyo. Acuity features the exact 24 'Ishihara Plates' to help you determine whether or not you are color blind in any way. Generally, cases of color blindness are characterized by a red-green deficiency, which can be classified in a protan and deutan type.
As such, the plates use various nuances of green- and red-colored patterns, letters and figures that are aimed at “confusing” those with color blindness – the only way to determine whether or not they have it. There is also an atypical total color blindness, though extremely rare. Those who have it are most likely aware of it before trying Acuity.
I myself took both the acuity and the color-blindness tests. While my visible range of the spectrum was normal, my vision was not exactly accurate. The results were: left eye – 13/20; right eye – 18/20; both eyes – 18/20. I wasn't surprised, though. In fact, it explained the glasses I somehow can't do without.
While Acuity will not replace your optician or a specialist, the tests have been approved by a specialist to be helpful, Intellicore reveals. As such, if your Acuity tests say you have a bit of color blindness, or that you don't exactly have a 20/20 vision, you may still have good eyes. However, you can get them checked, just to be on the safe side.
Now, go ahead and try out Acuity! You may be surprised at the results.