During a routine examination, a patient complains of difficulty reading road signs and seeing objects at a distance, especially while driving at night. What is the MOST appropriate initial test to assess this patient's visual capabilities?
Perform a near vision test using a Jaeger chart.
Obtain a detailed medical history focusing on the patient's visual complaints.
Immediately refer the patient to an ophthalmologist without initial testing.
Perform a visual acuity test using a Snellen chart to assess distance vision.
A visual acuity test, specifically checking distance vision, is the best initial assessment for a patient who reports difficulty in seeing objects at a distance. This test helps determine the clarity and sharpness of the patient's vision, which is critical when they are experiencing issues with distant objects. The Snellen chart is commonly used to test distance vision and will provide a quantitative measure of the patient's visual acuity. Checking near vision with a Jaeger chart would not be appropriate in this scenario as the patient's complaint pertains to distance sight. Obtaining a medical history is important but would not directly assess visual acuity. While the patient may need to be referred to an opthamologist, this is not the initial action.
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