Visual Acuity and Contrast Sensitivity in Preterm and Full-Term Children Using a Novel Digital Test

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional visual assessment in young children relies on subjective preferential looking paradigms requiring expert observation.
• Objective and automated methods are needed to standardize and improve the accuracy of visual function testing in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the development of visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) in children aged 6 months to 14 years using the Device for an Integral Visual Examination (DIVE).
• To compare visual function development between preterm and full-term children.
• To establish normative reference outcomes for VA and CS across childhood and validate DIVE as a testing tool.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the DIVE system, an integrated eye-tracking device, for automated visual function assessment.
• Recruited a large cohort of 2208 children (609 preterm) from international clinical settings.
• Analyzed the impact of age, gestational age, and refractive error on VA and CS measurements.

Main Results:

• Both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity demonstrated significant improvement throughout childhood, with the most rapid development occurring in the first five years of life.
• Visual acuity was influenced by gestational age, refractive error, and age.
• Contrast sensitivity was primarily influenced by age.

Conclusions:

• The DIVE system effectively measures visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in children, offering automated and objective assessment.
• The study provides normative reference data for VA and CS, valuable for monitoring visual development and identifying potential issues in children.
• DIVE serves as a validated tool for assessing fundamental visual functions in pediatric populations, including those born preterm.