Normative values for visual fields in 4- to 12-year-old children using kinetic perimetry

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Optometry
• Visual Science

Background:

• Establishing normative visual field data is crucial for diagnosing visual impairments in children.
• Kinetic perimetry is a valuable tool for assessing visual field extent in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative kinetic visual field data for children aged 4 to 12 years.
• To determine the age at which adult-like visual field size is achieved in children.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a double arc perimeter with a 6-degree target for kinetic perimetry.
• Collected data from 84 children (ages 4, 5, 7, 10) and 21 adults, all with normal eye examinations.
• Measured mean visual field extent along four meridians for each eye in all age groups.

Main Results:

• Mean visual field extent increased with age across all measured meridians.
• Significant positive correlation observed between age and visual field size.
• Specific mean visual field extents reported for 4-year-olds (e.g., 59°, 48°, 52°, 85° at 45°, 135°, 225°, 315° meridians, right eye).

Conclusions:

• Visual field size in children shows a continuous growth pattern up to approximately 11.6 years of age.
• These normative data aid in the assessment of visual development and detection of visual field abnormalities in children.
• The findings provide a benchmark for pediatric visual field development.