Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2025
Quantification of Oculomotor Responses and Accommodation Through Instrumentation and Analysis Toolboxes
Published on: March 3, 2023
Annual Baseline King-Devick Oculomotor Function Testing Is Needed Due to Scores Varying by Age
Dearbhla Gallagher1, Doug King2,3,4, Patria Hume2,5
1Human Performance Exercise & Wellbeing Centre, Bucks New University, Bucks, Buckinghamshire HP11 2JZ, UK.
Objective:
To document baseline King-Devick (K-D) oculomotor function scores for male and female participants aged between 4 and 20 years old.
Methods:
Utilising a cross section of schools, rugby clubs and gymnastic clubs, 1936 participants (1300 male, 636 female) completed the spiral-bound K-D test for the identification of disturbed oculomotor function.
Results:
This study identified that overall, the baseline scores of the K-D test became faster by 1.4 (0.3 to 4.5) s per year, when compared with the previous age group in the same number of reading card groups. When comparing normative values of the original K-D validation study with the same age groups of the current cohort, participants aged 6 to 11 years recorded a faster baseline time (range 3.5 to 8.6 s), while those in the 12 to 14 years. age group recorded slower baseline times (range -3.9 to -7.9 s).
Discussion:
In general, there were age group differences, but not sex differences, for K-D test times in the current cohort. Analysis of single card times, across all age groups, showed changes likely due to improved reading time.
Conclusion:
The results support the need for individualised annual pre-injury baseline testing of the K-D test.
