Introduction of the Low Vision Evaluator (LoVE) for children

To determine whether the Low Vision Evaluator (LoVE) can grade the visual acuity of young children with light perception and hand movement acuity into finer acuity steps and at what age reliable measurements can be obtained.

Two hundred twenty children were tested with the LoVE. Each eye was tested separately, and each stimulus magnitude (intensity x duration) was presented three times. Three catch trials per eye also were presented.

Scores ranged from -8 to -1 on variable-duration tests and from 22.5 to 37.5 dB on fixed-duration tests for four children with hand movement vision. Scores ranged from -12 to 0 on variable-duration tests and from 12.5 to 40 dB on fixed-duration tests for five children with light perception vision. Reliable measurements were obtained at different times on different days. Mean scores for children with counting finger vision or better were significantly better than scores for eyes with light perception and hand movement (P < .001 and P < .01, respectively). Reliability was less for children younger than age 4 years.

The LoVE is capable of grading the visual function of children with light perception and hand movement vision into finer steps. Reliable measurements can be obtained for children age 4 years and older.