Comparison of eccentric fixation measurements using the streak target of an ophthalmoscope and a traditional visuoscopy target.
OBJECTIVE
To compare measurements of eccentric fixation using two different targets for fixation, a traditional visuoscope target and the streak target of an ophthalmoscope.


METHODS
Monocular fixation was evaluated using visuoscopy in 47 patients ranging in age from 4 months to 22 years. Visuoscopy measurements were compared using both the traditional visuoscope target and the streak target of a Welch Allyn ophthalmoscope. The streak light was rotated both horizontally and vertically to detect both horizontal and vertical eccentric fixation.


RESULTS
The streak target improved testability of eccentric fixation in children younger than 3 years compared to the traditional visuoscope target (75% versus 30%). All of the patients older than 3 years were testable using both targets, with both methods yielding the same results. All of the patients with a visual acuity of at least 20/20 also demonstrated central fixation using both techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Using the streak of a Welch Allyn ophthalmoscope as a visuoscope target allows for testing of eccentric fixation in children younger than 3 years.
Cooper
Jeffrey
J
State University of New York, College of Optometry 33 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, USA.
Gelfond
Ilana
I
Carlson
Pamela E
PE
Campolattaro
Brian
B
Wang
Frederick
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005403:Fixation, Ocular; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019721:Ophthalmoscopes; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000150:complications; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013285:Strabismus / Q000150:complications