Feasibility of the clinical dynamic visual acuity test in typically developing preschoolers

To determine the feasibility of the dynamic visual acuity test (DVA) in children who are preschoolers.

Thirty-three preschoolers [3 years old (n = 11), 4 years old (n = 6), 5 years old (n = 8), and 6 years old (n = 8)], performed a static visual acuity test (SVA), a passive horizontal DVA (hDVA) at 1 and 2 Hz, and a DVA on treadmill at three age-specific walking speeds (slow/medium/high). The DVA scores, the difference between SVA and hDVA, were used to determine false positive results.

The SVA was performed by 31/33 children, the hDVA and DVA on treadmill at slow and medium speed by 27/33 and the DVA on treadmill at high speed by 25/33. Except for one 5 years old, all drop-outs were 3 years old. The hDVA at 2 Hz was administered in only six children because of difficulties with focusing on reading the symbols at this frequency. False positive results for the hDVA at 1 Hz were found in 3/27 children, all 3 years old, and 2/6 for the hDVA at 2 Hz.

The DVA on treadmill seems useful for preschoolers from age 5, but this should be further investigated in children with underlying pathologies.