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Published on: July 9, 2016
Establishing a normative database for quantitative pupillometry in the pediatric population
Sanket S Shah1, Hantamalala Ralay Ranaivo2, Rebecca B Mets-Halgrimson1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Insights
This study establishes normative pupillary size and function data for children using quantitative pupillometry. Findings reveal correlations between age and pupil metrics, providing valuable clinical screening tools for pediatric eye assessments.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Pupillary evaluation is essential for physical exams, aiding in optic nerve dysfunction assessment.
- Standardized normative data for scotopic pupillary size and function in pediatric populations are lacking.
- Establishing these norms is critical for accurate clinical interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative data for scotopic pupillary size and function in a pediatric clinical setting.
- To provide a baseline for assessing optic nerve health in children.
- To evaluate the utility of quantitative pupillometry in pediatric eye exams.
Main Methods:
- Prospective pupillometry measurements were performed on pediatric patients (<18 years) with normal eye evaluations.
- Quantitative data collected included maximum (MAX) and minimum (MIN) diameters, constriction percentage (CON), latency (LAT), constriction velocities (ACV, MCV), average dilation velocity (ADV), and recovery time (T75).
- Iris color was categorized as light, intermediate, or dark.
Main Results:
- 196 eyes from 101 participants (ages 1-17) were analyzed, with mean MAX 6.6 mm and MIN 4.7 mm.
- Significant positive correlations were observed between age and MAX, MIN, and CON.
- Males exhibited significantly greater maximum constriction velocity (MCV) and constriction percentage (CON) than females (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Quantitative pupillometry serves as a valuable screening tool for pediatric patients.
- Normative data were successfully established for scotopic pupillary size and function in this cohort.
- Age and sex are significant factors influencing pupillary responses in children.
Background:
Pupillary evaluation is a crucial element of physical exams. Noting size, reactivity, and consensual response is critical in assessing for optic nerve dysfunction. We aim to establish normative data for scotopic pupillary size and function in the pediatric population in a clinical setting.
Methods:
Pupillometry was obtained prospectively for consecutive, normal patients < 18 years old being evaluated by Lurie Children's Ophthalmology. Quantitative data included maximum (MAX) and minimum (MIN) diameters, constriction percentage (CON), latency (LAT), average (ACV) and maximum (MCV) constriction velocities, average dilation velocity (ADV), and 75% recovery time (T75). Iris color was noted as light, intermediate, or dark.
Results:
196 eyes of 101 participants (42.6% male, ages 1-17 years, average age 10.3 years) were analyzed. Mean MAX was 6.6 mm (5.1-8.1 mm 95% CI); MIN was 4.7 mm (3.1-6.1 mm 95% CI); CON was 30% (17-42 95% CI); LAT was 230 milliseconds (160-300 ms 95% CI); ACV was 3.70 mm/sec (2.21-5.18 mm/sec 95% CI); and ADV was 0.88 mm/sec (0.38-1.38 mm/sec 95% CI). Age had a positive correlation with MAX, MIN, and CON. 84.2 and 95.8% of participants showed resting pupil asymmetry of ≤0.5 mm and ≤ 1.0 mm, respectively.
Conclusions:
Quantitative pupillometry can be a useful tool for screening pediatric patients. We sought to establish normative data in this group. We found males to have significantly greater MCV and CON than females (p < 0.05). Also, age had a positive correlation with MAX, MIN, and CON.
