title: Comparison of visual assessment tests in multiply handicapped children.
abstract: The aims of this study were to compare acuity estimates achieved with visual evoked potential (VEP) and acuity card techniques and to examine the success rates of each test in a group of multiply handicapped children. Subjects were 52 children (3-183 months) with multiple handicaps associated with prematurity (n = 17), congenital anomalies (n = 16), hypoxic insult (n = 10) and other disorders (n = 9). Success rates for completing the tests were: VEP 88% and acuity cards 85% (Keeler or Cardiff). The acuity card tests were less likely to be successfully completed in the severely disabled (p < 0.05) and in those children with nystagmus (p < 0.05). When both acuity cards were successful, results agreed to within +/- 1.75 octaves. Acuity card thresholds were significantly correlated with VEP thresholds (p < 0.02), but thresholds achieved with VEPs were better in children with poor vision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vision Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Mackie
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: McCulloch
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ballantyne
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bradnam
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Dutton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity