What does acuity refer to in terms of vision?

Acuity refers specifically to the sharpness or clarity of vision. It is a measure of how well a person can perceive details at a given distance. High visual acuity means that a person can see fine details clearly, while low visual acuity indicates that those details may appear blurred or indistinct.

When discussing vision, acuity is typically assessed using standardized tests that measure how well an individual can identify letters or symbols from a distance, such as in an eye chart test. This concept is critical for activities that require precise vision, including driving, where clear and accurate visual information is necessary for safety.

The other options focus on various aspects of vision but do not define acuity itself. For example, the ability to see colors pertains to color vision and is not related to sharpness. The ability to judge distance involves depth perception, which relates to spatial awareness rather than clarity. Seeing peripheral objects refers to peripheral vision, which allows individuals to detect motion and objects outside of their direct line of sight, also distinct from acuity.