Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
The Measurement and Treatment of Suppression in Amblyopia
Published on: December 14, 2012
Ametropia, preschoolers' cognitive abilities, and effects of spectacle correction
Anne-Catherine Roch-Levecq1, Barbara L Brody, Ronald G Thomas
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0946, USA.
Insights
Uncorrected vision problems in preschoolers significantly impact visual-motor skills. Spectacle correction rapidly improves these abilities to typical levels, highlighting the importance of early eye exams for children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Uncorrected refractive errors, or ametropia, are prevalent in low-income populations.
- Ametropia can affect cognitive development and visual-motor integration in young children.
- Early detection and correction of vision impairments are crucial for optimal child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive abilities of low-income preschoolers with uncorrected ametropia.
- To assess the impact of spectacle correction on visual-motor and cognitive functions.
- To compare the performance of ametropic children with their emmetropic peers.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal controlled study analyzed data from 70 preschoolers (35 ametropic, 35 emmetropic).
- Ametropia was defined by specific diopter thresholds for hyperopia and astigmatism.
- Visual-motor integration (Beery-Buktenica) and cognitive (WPPSI-R) tests were administered before and after 6 weeks of spectacle correction.
Main Results:
- Children with uncorrected ametropia scored significantly lower on visual-motor integration and cognitive performance tests at baseline.
- After 6 weeks of spectacle correction, the ametropic group showed significant improvement in visual-motor integration.
- The corrected ametropic group's performance on the Beery-Buktenica test reached levels comparable to emmetropic controls.
Conclusions:
- Uncorrected ametropia in preschoolers is associated with deficits in visual-motor function.
- Spectacle correction effectively improves visual-motor integration in young children.
- Timely intervention with corrective lenses can mitigate the negative cognitive effects of ametropia.
Objectives:
To examine cognitive abilities of low-income preschoolers with uncorrected ametropia and effects of spectacle correction.
Methods:
Baseline and 6-week data from a longitudinal controlled study were analyzed. Subjects were 70 preschoolers (mean age, 4.6 years; 60.0% were female; and 85.7% were Latino), including 35 children with previously uncorrected ametropia and 35 emmetropic control subjects. Ametropia was defined as bilateral hyperopia of 4.00 diopters (D) or more in children aged 3 to 5 years, astigmatism of 2.00 D or more in children aged 3 years and 1.50 D or more in children aged 4 and 5 years, or a combination of both. Emmetropia was defined as 2.00 sphere diopters or less and 1.00 cylinder diopter or less in both eyes. Ametropes were assessed before and 6 weeks after correction and compared with control subjects. Primary and secondary outcome measures were Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised scores, respectively.
Results:
At baseline, uncorrected ametropes scored significantly lower on the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (P = .005) and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised performance scale (P = .01). After 6 weeks of correction, the ametropic group significantly improved on the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration compared with emmetropic control subjects (P = .02).
Conclusions:
Preschoolers with uncorrected ametropia had significant reduction in visual-motor function. Wearing spectacles for 6 weeks improved Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration scores to emmetropic levels.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Accessory Structures of the Eye
01:16Focusing of Light in the Eye