An apparatus for grading visual acuity by means of the opticokinetic response is described. Not only is the apparatus useful for determining visual acuity but it should also be of considerable value in determining the presence or absence of vision. While lack of response is not final proof of blindness, a positive response definitely indicates the presence of vision. Ninety-three of onehundred newborns 1½ hours to 5 days of age were found to perceive a pattern which when viewed at 6 in. (15 cm) corresponds to a Snellen notation of 20/670 This index may be found to be lower when the study is repeated using a full range of line patterns.