A vision testing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a frame comprising a face plate with at least one eye shield having a viewing slot positioned in a viewing direction perpendicular to the face plate, at least one variable lens element including an outer rail and multiple regions of varying diopter power having a width that is equal to or greater than the width of the viewing slot of the eye shield, and adjustable controls for moving the variable lens element in a direction perpendicularly to the viewing direction along a plane of the face plate. The testing apparatus is portable and can be used in developing nations where visual acuity is not corrected because of lack of access to optometric care.