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Programming a LOGMAR calculator into a REDCap database

Eye volume 37, pages 1944–1945 (2023)Cite this article

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LOGMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) is a common modality for reporting visual acuities academically [1]. However, Snellen charts are the predominant tool of visual acuity measurement clinically. Online calculators convert individual Snellen acuities to LOGMAR, but this is labour intensive and invites error from manual data transcription. Furthermore, these tools rarely allocate for missed or additional letters read, diminishing the precision of reported findings.

Tiew et al. published a Microsoft Excel® formula for calculating LOGMAR acuity from Snellen measurements en masse [2]. While useful during data analyses, this method possesses some potential caveats. Firstly, it only applies for analysis of pre-collected data and requires the generation of datasheets without LOGMAR measurements. Furthermore, given Microsoft Excel’s® limited utility for statistical analyses, it necessitates loading data into other packages, requiring the generation of multiple files and increasing data corruption and transcriptional error risks. Finally, it limits opportunities for data checking at time of entry during prospective collection, a quandary accentuated by visual acuity’s importance. Consequently, our group developed an algorithm for calculating this prospectively and automatically during data entry. By cross-checking calculated LOGMAR with conversion tables, it reduces random error during data entry and ultimately conserves time while using REDCap.

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References

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Acknowledgements

Thanks goes to QEI CEO Professor Mark Radford for his ongoing guidance and support. Additionally, we thank James Cook University’s REDCap Administrator Dr Venkat Vangaveti for his timely support on this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Douglas, QLD, Australia

    James Coventon

  2. Queensland Eye Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    James Coventon & Abhishek Sharma

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    James Coventon, Jaclyn White & Shuan Dai

  4. Cairns Base Hospital Surgical Department, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    James Coventon

  5. Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Lauren Gomes

  6. Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Abhishek Sharma

  7. University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Abhishek Sharma & Shuan Dai

Authors
  1. James Coventon
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  2. Lauren Gomes
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  3. Jaclyn White
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  4. Abhishek Sharma
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  5. Shuan Dai
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Contributions

JC: Manuscript writing and editing. LG: Validation of algorithm through testing. JW: Manuscript writing and editing. AS: Algorithm and database design. SD: Algorithm and database design.

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Correspondence to James Coventon.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Coventon, J., Gomes, L., White, J. et al. Programming a LOGMAR calculator into a REDCap database. Eye 37, 1944–1945 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-022-02243-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-022-02243-8

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