Clinical use of the Pepper visual skills for reading test in low vision rehabilitation

The Pepper Visual Skills for Reading Test (VSRT) is an assessment instrument designed by Whittaker et al. to evaluate the reading skills of patients with macular degeneration who were able to read to their satisfaction before their vision loss. The VSRT was administered to 10 patients with macular degeneration and central scotomas from the Low Vision Optometry Program at the Hines Veterans Administration Hospital Central Blind Rehabilitation Center and the Visual Impairment Center to Optimize Remaining Sight (VICTORS) at Westside Veterans Administration Medical Center, Chicago. Reading skills were measured before and after a low vision treatment program. Results indicate that this test may be useful in designing low vision training programs, evaluating the progress of individual patients receiving low vision services, and evaluating low vision programs designed to rehabilitate those with reading difficulty.