Norgett_Siderov_2011.pdf (292.06 kB)
Crowding in childrenʼs visual acuity tests - effect of test design and age
journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-30, 13:48 authored by Yvonne Norgett, John SiderovPurpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of test design (crowding) and age on visual acuity in a sample of young children.
Methods. Vision was measured in 103 children aged between 4 and 9 years using five different visual acuity tests. The tests included three crowded tests: logMAR Crowded test, the Sonksen logMAR test, and the Crowded Kay Picture test, and two single optotype tests: the Single Kay Picture and Sheridan Gardiner tests. Tests were presented in a random order using standardized instructions and a defined end-point. Results were analyzed in two age groups, younger (4 to 6 years) and older (7 to 9 years).
Results. In both groups, there was a significant main effect of test on acuity (younger: F = 63.92, dF = 4, p < 0.001; older: F = 63.59, dF = 4, p < 0.001). In the younger group, an effect of crowding was seen in all three crowded tests, but in the older group, an effect of crowding was seen only in the crowded letter tests. In both groups, mean acuity was lowest with the logMAR Crowded test, which has the closest interoptotype spacing (0.5), slightly higher with the Sonksen test (with interoptotype spacing of 1.0) and highest with the single optotype tests (no crowding). More crowding was seen in the younger children.
Conclusions. Our results show that maturation of line acuity is still taking place between the ages of 4 and 9 years. Measured acuity is affected by the amount of contour interaction induced by the type of optotype (letter or picture) and by the interoptotype separation. Another factor, probably a maturation of gaze control or selective attention is responsible for the reduction in crowding with age.
History
Refereed
- Yes
Volume
88Issue number
8Page range
920-927Publication title
Optometry and Vision ScienceISSN
1538-9235Publisher
American Academy of OptometryFile version
- Accepted version
Language
- eng
Legacy posted date
2013-06-25Legacy creation date
2018-11-01Legacy Faculty/School/Department
ARCHIVED Faculty of Science & Technology (until September 2018)Usage metrics
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