Development of stereoscopic acuity: longitudinal study using a computer-based random-dot stereo test.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the development of stereoscopic acuity (stereoacuity) in children longitudinally.


METHODS
Seven full-term normal infants whose age at the beginning of the study was between 12 and 23 weeks were studied. A computer-based random-dot test of stereoscopic vision (TV-Random Dot Stereo Test) was used to measure stereoacuity. The test was repeated at 2- to 3-month intervals until the children reached 2 years of age, and then every 6 to 12 months until they reached 5 years of age.


RESULTS
All of the infants were found to have a stereoacuity of 2480 seconds of arc (2480'') with this test by 26 weeks of age. The first reliable measurement of stereoacuity was obtained from a 16-week-old infant. Stereoacuity did not improve significantly between 6 and 12 months, but it improved rapidly after 12 months. All children had a stereoacuity of 100'' with the Titmus Stereo Tests at 5 years of age, but the best stereoacuity with the TV-Random Dot Stereo Test was 229'' at 28.9 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of stereoacuity studied longitudinally was similar to that obtained by cross-sectional studies. The TV-Random Dot Stereo Test is a useful program for measuring stereopsis in preverbal children.
Takai
Yoshiko
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan. ytakai@asahikawa-med.ac.jp
Sato
Miho
M
Tan
Rei
R
Hirai
Toshie
T
D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003867:Depth Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D005123:Eye / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015348:Vision, Binocular / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*