The test that determines how to tell if you need glasses

If your eyesight's been a bit poor lately and you're wondering how to tell if you need glasses, you’re in luck – a group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created an optical illusion to test for vision impairment.
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So before you call the optometrist, position your head about 30 centimetres from your screen, then check out the picture below.
www.seventeen.com
Do I need glasses?
Now, is the person you see Marilyn Monroe? If yes, you may want to book that appointment.
Do you see Albert Einstein instead? Chances are your vision is in pretty good nick.
ASAP Science explains the read glasses test: "Depending on how well you're able to focus or pick up contrast, your eye will only pick out details. Up close, we're generally able to pick up fine details like Einstein's moustache and wrinkles. But as the distance increases, or if your vision is poor and creates a more blurred image in the first place, your ability to pick up details fades away."
Did you see Albert or Marilyn?
78 Member Comments
LOL I saw Albert BUT this test is for if you are long sided obviously and if you need glasses for computer work/reading. I don't my glasses are for driving I have no issues seeing things up close.
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Surprisingly a year after my first comment I can now see Marilyn, which would indicate that my vision has deteriorated.
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Dude that's so cool! And yes, I saw Marilyn.
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Glasses off Marilyn and glasses on Albert
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Loved this article. I saw albert up close but then got my boyfriend to move the screen away and I saw Marilyn Monroe, crazy. Good test as I am short sighted.
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Omg that's so cool! Lucky I only saw Albert!
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Wow there is truth in this - without glasses I saw Marilyn and with them on I saw Albert.
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I can only see Albert Einstein with and without my glasses. I can't see Marilyn at all no matter what I do because that moustache keeps jutting out at me.
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I feel like this is a totally random article, but it did make me giggle!
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I always wanted glasses, and a decade ago that dream came true :) I love having glasses.
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LOL! Glad to know that my eyes are in good shape!
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Haha - if I cross my eyes I can see Marilyn! I see Albert otherwise. But I do need glasses for long distance.
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OOh I can see it if I squint! Thats really cool!
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Im lost without my glasses especially for studying. Even though I have bad eyes, I couldnt see Marilyn
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Recently got my first pair of glasses, I only use them for work in front of the pc or if I'm reading at home.
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I read voraciously & always have, & usually in dim lighting which is supposed to be bad. In just over a month I'll be 51 - I saw Einstein straight away! Phew!
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Am I the only one pushing and pulling the screen closer and further away? I only see Albert so thats cool
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I'm short sighted so I see Einstein but I do wear prescription glasses as my vision is blurry when I look at things further away like watching TV, etc.
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Love this!
I see Albert clearly....then closed my good eye and looked with Lazy one, wowza! Smiling woman (as much as I could pick up with the laziness of my eye). Fascinating =D
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woah. I have to do a vision test for my next licence and was worrying about it, but I do see Albert. Maybe I’ll be okay. (not sure this is entirely reliable though!).
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That's a relief! I saw Albert!!
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I saw Albert, however I am short-sighted so it was to be expected. Of course I will see him if my face is up close to the screen. I can't see much of anything if I am further away.
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How fascinating! I see Einstein, and I know from having a recent eye test that my eyesight is good.
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Even without my glasses it looks like Albert Einstein
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