title: A computer-generated test of acuity for multi-handicapped children.
abstract: Assessment of visual function in severely intellectually handicapped children is difficult but necessary for educational purposes. The difficulties encountered include: lack of literacy skills; lack of verbal and fine motor skills; and low interest level of the optotypes. A computer-generated test has been developed that helps overcome these difficulties. This test presents pictures equivalent in line width to Snellen, which are manipulated on screen to provide movement and change of size to facilitate non-verbal responses and to increase interest level. Evaluation trials were conducted with 96 cognitively normal children and 37 multi-handicapped children. The computer test facilitated testing of significantly more of the multi-handicapped children. Data from both trial groups indicated a good positive correlation between the computer test and a standard optotype test. Further refinement and evaluation of this computer test is continuing.
authors.affiliation: School of Orthoptics, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Australia.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fitzmaurice
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maclean
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*