Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
An Automated Method for Assessing Visual Acuity in Infants and Toddlers Using an Eye-Tracking System
Published on: March 17, 2023
A novel computerized visual acuity test for children
Young Joo Shin1, In Bum Lee, Won Ryang Wee
1Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
Insights
The SNU visual acuity test, using moving targets, shows strong correlation with the Teller visual acuity test. This computerized method is more applicable for assessing young children's vision.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Vision Science
- Computerized Vision Testing
Background:
- Assessing visual acuity in young children presents significant challenges.
- Traditional methods like the Teller acuity test can be difficult for very young children to complete.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the SNU visual acuity test, a novel computerized approach.
- To compare the SNU visual acuity test with the established Teller visual acuity test in children aged 1-5 years.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-six children (1-5 years) participated.
- Participants tracked a moving dot on a monitor; eye movements were recorded.
- The SNU visual acuity test results were compared against the Teller visual acuity test outcomes.
Main Results:
- The SNU visual acuity test had a lower failure rate (1.8%) compared to the Teller visual acuity test (8.9%).
- Significant correlations were found between SNU and Teller visual acuity measurements (p < 0.001).
- Correlations remained significant when visual angle degrees were compared (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- The SNU visual acuity test demonstrates strong correlation with the Teller visual acuity test.
- The SNU test is more applicable and practical for assessing visual acuity in young children.
- The SNU visual acuity test shows promise for clinical use in pediatric eye care.
Purpose:
To investigate the efficacy of a computerized visual acuity test, the SNU visual acuity test for children.
Methods:
Fifty-six children, ranging from 1 to 5 years of age, were included. In a dark room, children gazed at and followed a circular dot with 50% contrast moving at a fixed velocity of 10 pixels/sec on a computer monitor. Eye movement was captured using a charge coupled device camera and was expressed as coordinates on a graph. Movements of the eye and dot were superimposed on a graph and analyzed. Minimum visualized dot diameters were compared to the Teller visual acuity.
Results:
Ten eyes (8.9%) of six children failed to perform the Teller visual acuity test, and two eyes (1.8%) of one patient failed to perform the SNU visual acuity test. The observed Teller visual acuity and SNU visual acuity were significantly correlated (p < 0.001). Visual angle degrees converted from the Teller visual acuity and SNU visual acuity were also significantly correlated (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
The SNU visual acuity using moving targets correlated well with Teller visual acuity and was more applicable than the Teller acuity test. Therefore, the SNU visual acuity test has potential clinical applications for children.
