title: Visual characteristics of low vision children.
abstract: A retrospective survey of pediatric clinical files from the Kooyong Low Vision Clinic (LVC) showed that the major causes of low vision were congenital or inherited conditions and most children had 6/60 (20/200) or better distance acuities. A classroom evaluation of these children showed that overall, the clinically determined visual acuity corresponded with classroom performance. A high rate of use of prescribed low vision aids was found, and a reading evaluation on a standardized test showed poor performance with respect to reading speed and comprehension, but almost all the children had adequate reading accuracy. Considering the importance of reading in education, greater emphasis on reading evaluations in routine low vision examinations is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalloniatis
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011932:Reading; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012682:Sensory Aids / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014787:Vision Tests; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000151:congenital / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014792:Visual Acuity