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A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking
Published on: July 9, 2016
Contrast Sensitivity and Low-Contrast Visual Acuity in Children With Low Vision
Deepak Kumar Bagga1, Anantha A G Padmanabhan1, Deiva Jayaraman1
1Institute for Vision Rehabilitation, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.
Insights
Contrast sensitivity and low-contrast visual acuities vary widely in children with low vision. Clinically meaningful changes exceed 0.45 logCS or 0.4 logMAR due to high test-retest variability.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Vision
- Low Vision Research
Background:
- Low vision in children presents significant challenges in visual function assessment.
- Understanding contrast sensitivity (CS) and low-contrast visual acuities (LCVAs) is crucial for managing pediatric visual impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate distance and near contrast sensitivity (CS) and low-contrast visual acuities (LCVAs) in children (5 to <16 years) with low vision across diverse eye diseases.
- To assess the repeatability of these visual function measures in the pediatric low vision population.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 782 children with low vision (visual acuity 0.3-1.3 logMAR or visual field MD worse than 12 dB).
- Assessed CS using Pelli-Robson tests and LCVAs at 5% and 2.5% contrast with LEA symbols.
- Evaluated repeatability in 134 children via repeated measures over ~3 months using Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement (LoAs).
Main Results:
- Observed a broad range of CS (distance: 1.69-0.45 logCS, near: 1.73-0.15 logCS) and LCVA (0.80-1.54 logMAR at 5% contrast, 0.94-1.58 logMAR at 2.5% contrast) across 47 eye diseases.
- Found significant test-retest variability: LoAs were 0.44 logCS (distance), 0.54 logCS (near), 0.38 logMAR (5% LCVA), and 0.42 logMAR (2.5% LCVA).
Conclusions:
- Contrast sensitivity and LCVA impairments are highly variable among children with different eye diseases causing low vision.
- Clinically meaningful changes in CS (>0.45 logCS) or LCVA (>0.4 logMAR) should be considered in follow-up assessments due to substantial test-retest variability.
Purpose:
To investigate distance and near contrast sensitivity (CS), as well as low-contrast visual acuities (LCVAs) at 5% and 2.5% contrasts across various eye diseases causing low vision, in children aged 5 to <16 years, and to study the repeatability of these measures.
Methods:
In total, 782 children (age, mean ± SD, 10.23 ± 2.75 years) with low vision, visual acuity between 0.3 and 1.3 logMAR, or visual field with mean deviation worse than 12 dB were recruited. CS was assessed with Pelli-Robson distance and near tests. Visual acuity and LCVAs at 5% and 2.5% contrast were assessed using LEA symbols. In 134 children, data were collected again in approximately 3 months for repeatability measures. Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement (LoAs) were used to assess repeatability.
Results:
A wide range of CS (distance: 1.69 to 0.45 logCS, near 1.73 to 0.15 logCS) and LCVA (0.80 to 1.54 logMAR at 5% contrast and 0.94 to 1.58 logMAR at 2.5% contrast) were observed across 47 eye diseases in children with low vision. Repeated measures for CS and LCVA exhibited a large variation (LoA: distance CS = 0.44 logCS, near CS = 0.54 logCS, LCVA 5% = 0.38 logMAR, LCVA 2.5% = 0.42 logMAR) in children with low vision.
Conclusions:
CS and LCVA impairments vary across eye diseases in children. A difference of more than 0.45 logCS (three triplets) in CS or 0.4 logMAR (four lines) in LCVA during follow-up is considered clinically meaningful for children with low vision due to high test-retest variability.
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