Reference value in optometry

Abstract

Reference value is a term used in the context of health sciences to denote a quantity used as point of reference to interpret the results of tests, specially laboratory test. The reference values are essentially of two types: “associated with the health” and “based on decision”. The reference values are the most used tool in the diagnostic work. Specifically in optometry most of studies in this area are related to the terms: reference Intervals, normative data, normal values and reference values. The propose of this article is to present some of the studies on reference values of contrast sensitivity and visual acuity, based in the search of articles from 1980 to 2009. The reviewed studies results are summarized. Conclusions: in health sciences, the values derived from the test are compared with a normal value reason for which it is necessary to have normal values. Some studies seem to have used significant samples and diverse age groups, the great majority differs in the methodology and interpretation of the results. There does not exist an unified criterion of normal values in. The values of reference suggested must be confirmed in studies with major samples, more rigorous methodologies and a clinical wide spectrum taking accountin gender, age and etnia. Despite of the studies fails these constitute a starting point to evaluate the clinical results of some test.