Assessment of a new Distance Randot stereoacuity test

We sought to develop a new "Distance Randot" test, establish a normative data set for children and adults, and compare with established measures of stereoacuity.

Distance Randot, distance Frisby-Davis 2 (FD2), and near Preschool Randot stereoacuity (Stereo Optical Co., Inc., Chicago, IL) were assessed in 23 normal children (ages 4-14 years), 21 normal adults (ages 20-36 years), and 131 patients with a variety of strabismic conditions (ages 4-85 years). For each test, stereoacuity was defined as the smallest disparity in which 2 targets were correctly identified. The simultaneous prism and cover test (SPCT) and the alternate prism and cover test (APCT) were used to assess misalignment.

For the new Distance Randot test, normative results were similar to published data obtained with established near and distance stereoacuity tests. In the patient cohort, comparing stereoacuity data obtained from Distance Randot stereoacuity test and the Near Preschool Randot stereoacuity test, most of the patients with discordant scores had poorer distance than near stereoacuity. Comparing the Distance Randot stereoacuity test and the Distance FD2, all of the patients with discordant scores had poorer Distance Randot than FD2 scores.

Distance Randot test is more likely to detect abnormalities in distance stereopsis and may provide a useful tool in measuring distance stereoacuity in patients with and without strabismus. However, further studies are needed to define the efficacy of the Distance Randot test in monitoring progression specific conditions such as intermittent exotropia, where it may prove useful as a guide to the timing of intervention.