Comparison of nearpoint techniques

Thirteen subjects, 11 males and 2 females, from 24 to 35 years of age, were tested at the nearpoint. Three testing procedures, the Mallett near unit, the traditional examination technique, and the Borish nearpoint card, were performed. Results were analyzed to see whether a significant difference exists between the 3 types of nearpoint testing techniques. The Borish card differed significantly from the traditional technique (p less than .05) on tests of visual acuity, unfused crossed cylinder and fused cross cylinder. Donder's amplitude of accommodation on the Mallett unit and on the Borish card differed significantly (p less than .05). No significant difference was noted with the traditional technique versus the Borish card on tests of lateral phoria, vertical phoria, and vergences, or between the Mellett and Borish test on lateral associated phorias, vertical associated phorias, fine suppression, balance of sphere at near and cylinder power at near. Gross suppression was found in 2 of 26 measurements on the Mallett tests. No subjects indicated gross suppression on the Borish card.