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Updated: Oct 5, 2026
A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking
Published on: July 9, 2016
The predictive utility of the Teller acuity cards for assessing visual outcome in children with preterm birth and
H L Hall1, M L Courage, R J Adams
1Department of Psychology, Memorial University, St. John's, A1B 3X9, Newfoundland, Canada.
Insights
Early visual acuity testing using Teller acuity cards (TAC) in infants can predict later vision outcomes. However, its accuracy is limited, especially for identifying visual disorders in children with initially normal grating acuity.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Vision
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Early identification of visual disorders in infants is crucial for timely intervention.
- Visual acuity assessment in young children presents unique challenges.
- The Teller Acuity Cards (TAC) are commonly used to measure grating visual acuity in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive value of initial binocular grating visual acuity measurements using TAC in 3-36-month-old infants at risk for visual disorders.
- To determine the correlation between early TAC scores and later comprehensive vision assessments.
Main Methods:
- Binocular grating visual acuity was assessed using TAC in infants aged 3-36 months.
- Children were reassessed 3-8 years later using TAC and a battery of spatial and non-spatial vision tests.
- Statistical analysis examined the predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity of initial TAC scores.
Main Results:
- Initial TAC scores showed no correlation with later comprehensive vision measures.
- TAC scores demonstrated low positive but high negative predictive value for later tests.
- Sensitivity for identifying visual disorders was low, but specificity for identifying normal vision was high.
Conclusions:
- Early grating visual acuity measured by TAC can predict later visual outcomes in children.
- The predictive ability of TAC may be more reliable for children with initially normal grating acuity.
- TAC is a specific, though not highly sensitive, tool for identifying children with normal visual development.
Abstract:
We assessed binocular grating visual acuity with the Teller acuity cards (TAC) in 3-36-month-olds at risk for visual disorders. After 3-8 years, each child was assessed with the TAC and with a battery of tests of spatial and non-spatial vision. The initial TAC score: (1) was uncorrelated with any of the later measures; (2) had low positive, but high negative predictive value for the later tests; (3) had low sensitivity, but high specificity for identifying children with and without visual disorders, respectively. We concluded that early TAC grating acuity predicts visual outcome, but perhaps only for children with initially normal grating acuity.
