Die optometris bepaal gesigskerpte deurdat ek die oogkaart lees.

Deurdat introduces a subordinate clause and means something like through the fact that, by, or as a result of. In this sentence, it explains the method: the optometrist determines visual acuity by having me read the eye chart.

It is a bit more formal or bookish than some other ways of expressing the same idea.

Because deurdat starts a subordinate clause, and in Afrikaans subordinate clauses the finite verb normally goes to the end.

So the structure is:

• main clause: Die optometris bepaal gesigskerpte
• subordinate clause: deurdat ek die oogkaart lees

That final lees is very typical Afrikaans word order after words like omdat, dat, terwyl, and deurdat.

Ek is the subject of lees, so I am the one reading the eye chart.

Die optometris is the subject of bepaal, so the optometrist is the one determining the visual acuity.

This sentence has two clauses, and each clause has its own subject and verb:

• Die optometris ... bepaal
• ek ... lees

Here bepaal means determine, establish, or assess.

In a medical or testing context, determine or assess is usually the best English equivalent. It does not just mean decide here; it means finding out or measuring something.

Afrikaans forms compound nouns very freely, and they are usually written as one word.

So gesigskerpte is a single compound noun meaning visual acuity. This is very normal in Afrikaans.

Other examples of one-word compounds are:

• oogkaart
• huiswerk
• skooltas

It is the medical or technical term for visual acuity, basically how sharp or clear someone’s vision is.

So this is not just a casual everyday word; it sounds like the kind of term you would hear in healthcare or eye testing.

Oogkaart is another compound noun:

• oog = eye
• kaart = chart/card

Together, oogkaart means eye chart, the chart used in a vision test.

Because die is the definite article in Afrikaans for all genders.

Unlike languages such as German or Dutch, Afrikaans does not have different definite articles for masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns. So you simply use die:

• die optometris
• die oogkaart

It is also used with plural nouns.

Usually, no. In the present tense, Afrikaans verbs normally stay the same regardless of the subject.

For example:

• ek lees
• jy lees
• hy lees
• ons lees

The same applies to bepaal:

• ek bepaal
• sy bepaal
• hulle bepaal

This is one reason Afrikaans verb grammar is often simpler than English or Dutch.

This sentence is phrased in a general, procedural way: the optometrist determines visual acuity.

If you want to make it more personal and specific, you absolutely can say my gesigskerpte. For example:

• Die optometris bepaal my gesigskerpte ...

So the original sentence is not wrong; it is just less specific.

Omdat usually means because and gives a reason.

Deurdat often points to how something happens, by what means, or through what process.

So:

• omdat = because
• deurdat = by means of / through the fact that

In this sentence, deurdat fits because the clause explains the method used in the test.

It can mean either, depending on context.

Afrikaans often uses the simple present where English might use either:

• I read
• I am reading

If you really want to emphasize an ongoing action, Afrikaans can use a fuller form such as ek is besig om te lees, but that is not necessary here.