Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for testing eyesight in the presence of controlled varying degrees of contrast at a target which is being viewed. The contrast ratio of the illumination of the portion of a target having a series of test patterns with respect to the illumination of the background of the target surrounding the patterns affects intraocular light scattering in a subject's eyes. In one disclosed embodiment an eye chart is provided which has opaque symbols on an illuminated background. By means of a transparent surface which is partly reflective, such as a half-silvered mirror, a veiling light is superimposed uniformly upon the light transmitted from the illuminated background of the target toward the subject's eyes.