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Testability of preschoolers on stereotests used to screen vision disorders
Paulette P Schmidt1, Maureen G Maguire, Bruce Moore
1The Ohio State University, College of Optometry, Columbus, OH 43218, USA.
Insights
Stereoacuity testing in 3-year-olds revealed significant differences in testability among random dot stereotests. Two-choice procedures, like those in the Stereo Smile and Random Dot E tests, improved young children
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Vision
- Visual Neuroscience
Background:
- Assessing stereopsis in young children is crucial for early detection of visual disorders.
- Commercially available stereotests vary in design, potentially impacting their suitability for preschool-aged children.
- Understanding testability differences is key to selecting appropriate vision screening tools for this age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the testability of three random dot stereotests (Random Dot E, Stereo Smile, Randot Preschool) in 3-year-old children.
- To compare the efficacy of these stereotests in a preschool population aged 3 years 0 months to 3 years 6 months.
Main Methods:
- 118 children aged 3 years 0 months to 3 years 6 months (without strabismus) were tested.
- Each child underwent testing with the Random Dot E, Stereo Smile, and Randot Preschool tests in a balanced order.
- Testability was determined by successful completion of nonstereo (pretest) and gross stereo tasks for each test.
Main Results:
- Testability on the pretest was highest for Stereo Smile (91%), followed by Random Dot E (81%), and Randot Preschool (71%).
- Testability on the gross stereo task was significantly higher for Stereo Smile (77%) and Random Dot E (74%) compared to Randot Preschool (56%).
- No significant difference in gross stereo task testability was found between Stereo Smile and Random Dot E tests.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in testability exist among the evaluated random dot stereotests for 3-year-old children.
- The Stereo Smile and Random Dot E tests demonstrated higher testability, suggesting two-choice procedures enhance performance in young preschoolers.
- These findings aid in selecting more effective stereotests for vision screening in early childhood.
Objective:
The purpose was to determine whether preschool children aged 3 years 0 months through 3 years 6 months could be tested with the Random Dot E, Stereo Smile, and Randot Preschool stereoacuity tests, which are random dot stereotests marketed for use with preschoolers.
Methods:
A total of 118 children from five Vision In Preschoolers Study Clinical Centers participated. Strabismic children, as determined by the cover test at distance and near, were excluded from this study. Stereopsis was tested on each child using each of the three tests in a variable, balanced order. A child's testability for each test was determined by the ability to complete the nonstereo task (pretest) and the gross stereo task for each stereotest. Proportions of children able to perform each test were compared using statistical methods accommodating multiple measurements per child.
Results:
Testability of children on the pretest was greater for the Stereo Smile test (91%) than for the Random Dot E test (81%; p = 0.007) or the Randot Preschool test (71%; p < 0.0001) and greater for the Random Dot E test than for the Randot Preschool test (p = 0.02). For all children, testability on the gross stereo task was greater for the Stereo Smile (77%; p < 0.0001) and Random Dot E (74%; p = 0.005) tests than for the Randot Preschool test (56%) but did not differ significantly between the Stereo Smile and Random Dot E tests (p = 0.19). There were no significant differences among the proportion of children able to complete the gross stereo task among those who were testable on the pretest (p > 0.12, all comparisons).
Conclusions:
Among preschoolers aged 3 years 0 months through 3 years 6 months, testability differs significantly across the three commercially available random dot stereotests evaluated. The results suggest that two-choice procedures increase testability of young preschoolers.
