Vestibulo-ocular reflex evaluation of the children with acquired esotropia

Başak Mutlu1, Merve Torun Topçu1, Ahmet Mutlu2

  • 1Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Audiology, Istanbul, Turkey.

Insights

This study found no significant differences in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain between children with acquired esotropia and healthy controls using video head impulse (vHIT) and functional head impulse (fHIT) tests.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Acquired esotropia can affect visual-motor function.
  • The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) stabilizes gaze during head movements.
  • Evaluating VOR gain is crucial for understanding visual processing in children with esotropia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of acquired esotropia on VOR gain in pediatric patients.
  • To compare VOR gain using video head impulse (vHIT) and functional head impulse (fHIT) tests.
  • To differentiate effects in accommodative versus non-accommodative esotropia subgroups.

Main Methods:

  • 62 children (6-18 years) with acquired esotropia and 21 healthy controls were enrolled.
  • Patients were categorized into accommodative and non-accommodative esotropia groups.
  • Lateral canal vHIT and fHIT were performed with monocular and binocular recordings.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in vHIT findings were observed between the esotropia and control groups (p>.05).
  • Specific camera positions in vHIT recordings showed minor statistical differences in VOR gain for the non-accommodative and accommodative esotropia groups.
  • No saccades were detected in any participant group.

Conclusions:

  • Statistical variations in vHIT and fHIT results for acquired esotropia are likely sporadic.
  • Current recording techniques for vHIT and fHIT are adequate for pediatric acquired esotropia.
  • No modifications to vHIT or fHIT recording methods are necessary for this patient population.
Abstract