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A clinical evaluation of random dot stereoacuity cards in infants
S L Calloway1, I C Lloyd, D B Henson
1Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, UK.
Insights
This study found that random dot stereoacuity cards can assess infant stereopsis. The test is reliable for infants aged 17-36 weeks, aiding in monitoring binocular vision disorders.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Vision
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Stereopsis, the ability to perceive depth, is crucial for visual development.
- Early detection of binocular vision disorders in infants is essential for timely intervention.
- Assessing stereopsis in infants presents unique challenges due to their limited cooperation and communication abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clinically evaluate the efficacy of random dot stereoacuity cards for assessing stereopsis in infants.
- To establish normative data for stereopsis in infants within the first 12 months of life.
- To determine the age range at which these cards are most effective for infant vision screening.
Main Methods:
- Random dot stereoacuity cards with varying disparities were used.
- A two-alternative forced choice preferential looking staircase procedure was employed.
- Infants wore polarizing goggles during the assessment, with success rate and stereoacuity evaluated by age.
Main Results:
- The procedure was successful in 72.3% of 41 infants (ages 5-56 weeks).
- Stereopsis was not demonstrable in infants under 8 weeks; success rates increased with age, peaking at 97% between 17-24 weeks.
- Mean stereoacuity improved with age, ranging from 2.91 log seconds of arc (9-16 weeks) to 2.53 log seconds of arc (37-56 weeks).
Conclusions:
- Random dot stereoacuity cards offer a simple, quick, and portable method for assessing infant stereopsis.
- The cards are clinically useful for infants aged 17-36 weeks.
- This tool can aid in monitoring infants at risk for binocular vision disorders.
Purpose:
To clinically evaluate the random dot stereoacuity cards developed by Birch and Salomao on a population of infants within the first 12 months of life and to generate baseline normative data.
Methods:
Random dot stereoacuity cards were constructed using vectographic vertical bar stimuli with cross disparities ranging from 45 to 1735 seconds of arc (1.65 to 3.2 log seconds of arc). Wearing polarising goggles, infants were assessed using a two-alternative forced choice preferential looking staircase procedure. Success rate and stereoacuity values for performance as a function of age were evaluated.
Results:
One hundred and seventy-seven tests were completed on 41 infants with ages ranging from 5 to 56 weeks. The random dot stereoacuity procedure was successful in 128 (72.3%) infants, success being dependent upon age. At 0-8 weeks of age, none of the infants produced a fixation preferance towards even the coarsest stereogram. The success rate increased to 50% at 9-16 weeks, 97% at 17-24 weeks, 93% at 25-36 weeks, dropping to 69% at 37-56 weeks due to increasing intolerance to the goggles. Stereopsis was not demonstrable in infants under 8 weeks of age. By 9-16 weeks the mean stereoacuity level was 2.91 log seconds of arc, further increasing to 2.53 at 17-24 weeks, reducing slightly to 2.65 at 25-36 weeks. At 37-56 weeks the mean stereoacuity value was recorded as 2.53 log seconds of arc.
Conclusion:
Our results indicate that the infant random dot stereoacuity cards provide a simple, quick and portable test for the clinical assessment of stereopsis in infants aged between 17 and 36 weeks, and should prove to be a useful clinical tool to monitor infants at risk of binocular vision disorders.