Developmental optometrics

The evolution of the accommodative function and development of ocular movement are evaluated in a non-clinical paediatric population (1056 subjects) aged 6-12 years, providing means for each age in the optometric tests that evaluate the accommodative amplitude, accommodative facility, accommodative response (lag), and saccadic movements. A comparison of these values between ages (anova) established three distinct trends in the behaviour of these parameters. The accommodative amplitude, measured by modified dynamic retinoscopy, and the evaluation of the saccadic movements by the development of ocular movements [developmental eye movement (DEM)] test showed continuous change with age...

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between visual motor integration skill and academic performance in kindergarten through third grade. METHODS: One hundred ninety-one (N = 191) children in kindergarten through third grade (mean age = 7.78 years; 52% male) from an upper-middle class, suburban, primarily Caucasian, elementary school near Cleveland, Ohio were included in this investigation. Visual analysis and visual motor integration skill were assessed with the Beery Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI) long form because it is a commonly used test in both optometric and educational practice and has a detailed scoring system...

The effect of visual skills, such as binocularity, on saccadic eye movement test performance is currently unknown. Therefore, the relationship between performance on commonly used clinical saccadic eye movement tests and visual skill was studied in a masked investigation of 181 kindergartners and first graders (mean age 6.25 years) from a middle class, suburban, elementary school near Cleveland, Ohio. The New York State Optometric Association King-Devick saccade test (NYSOA K-D) and the Developmental Eye Movement test (DEM) were employed because they are two commonly used clinical saccadic eye movement tests...

OBJECTIVES: To review studies in the scientific literature of five physical interventions commonly recommended for children with neurodevelopmental delay. DESIGN: A literature search for and a review of the results of controlled and other studies conducted in the course of the last 25 years. SETTING: Institute of Child Health, University of Cape Town. SUBJECTS: Patterning; neurodevelopmental therapy; sensory integrative therapy; optometric visual training; auditory integration therapy...

Although a substantial body of research has demonstrated an association between reading and eye movements, this association has not been examined in kindergartners. Therefore, the relation between psychometric eye movement scores and reading skill was studied in a masked investigation with 181 kindergartners and first graders (mean age 6.25 years) from a middle class, suburban, elementary school near Cleveland, Ohio. Eye movements were evaluated with the New York State Optometric Association King-Devick (NYSOA K-D; Bernell Corporation, South Bend, IN) and the Developmental Eye Movement tests (DEM; Bernell Corporation, South Bend, IN)...

PURPOSE: To examine the accommodative accuracy and amplitude in children with Down syndrome. Accommodation is usually assumed to be good in children and is rarely measured. METHODS: A dynamic retinoscopy technique was developed that allows rapid and reliable measures of accuracy and amplitude of accommodation in infants and children. RESULTS: Use of the dynamic technique with a small sample of schoolchildren with Down syndrome shows that 80% have reduced amplitude of accommodation, in comparison to a control group of developmentally normal children...

Research over the last few decades has demonstrated the rapid development of vision function that occurs in infancy with near-adult levels reached before the age of 1 year. This period of rapid development coincides with the period of maximum sensitivity to insult. These facts emphasize the importance of effective screening techniques for visual disorders. Off-axis photorefraction is described as a new and effective screening technique for detection of refractive errors, media opacities, and strabismus. Separate from screening, a significant need exists for optometric vision evaluations in special populations...

In the presence of one or two intraocular lenses (IOL's; pseudophakic corrections) or in the presence of naturally occurring or developmental anisometropia (due to a tumescent cataract) some induced or residual refractive aniseikonia is usually encountered. We wish to call this problem to the attention of the optometric practitioner. We provide a discussion of the resultant aniseikonia and simple rules of thumb for management of such patients with refractive aniseikonia. Aniseikonia in these patients may be less important than once had been suggested, but certainly it is more significant than it is currently being considered...

BACKGROUND: Angelman (happy puppet) syndrome is a neuro-developmental condition characterized by an ataxic gait with puppet-like limb movements, paroxysmal bouts of laughter and severe mental retardation. Although considered a rare condition, over 140 cases have been documented since its designation in 1965. To date, only one study has been published investigating the ocular defects of Angelman syndrome. METHODS: In this paper we report the cognitive, motor, systemic, and oculo-visual findings of a 3 year old child with Angelman syndrome...

BACKGROUND: First described in 1956, Prader-Willi syndrome is a neurogenetic condition characterized by infantile hypotonia, hypogonadism and obesity. Mental deficiency, behavioral abnormalities, and obvious dysmorphic features are frequently found as well. It is a relatively common condition, with an incidence estimated to be between 1 in 10,000 to 25,000 live births. Few studies have been published that investigated the ocular defects associated with this syndrome. METHODS: This case report discusses the systemic and oculo-visual abnormalities of a 34-year-old white male enrolled in the Easter Seal Society of Metropolitan Chicago/Illinois College of Optometry Eye Care and Treatment Program...

BACKGROUND: Sotos syndrome (cerebral gigantism) is a congenital syndrome characterized by large body size for patient age, advanced bone age, and unusual facial characteristics with varying levels of cognitive, developmental and perceptual deficits. While more than 150 cases have been reported, only a single case report has been published in the ophthalmic literature. This study briefly reviews the pertinent aspects of this syndrome and reports on the medical, physical, developmental and ocular manifestations of 32 subjects...

492 five to nine year old children participated in a study of the ability of three tests of linear acuity --the Sonksen-Silver Acuity System (SSAS), the Sheridan Gardiner 7-letter chart and the Keelers MK2 chart to identify children requiring specialist visual examination. The ability of the three tests to detect children with visual defects at 6m and of the SSAS in several test test conditions (3m and 6m, monocular and binocular) was investigated at two acuity levels for referral (3/4.5 or 6/9 and 3/6 or 6/12)...

Thirty-six children attending a private school for learning disabled children were diagnosed as having visual and/or perceptual disorders. The experimental group received individual programming in visual and perceptual development at their appropriate developmental levels. The control group received instruction in physical education, art or music classes. Both groups received individualized reading assistance. Statistical analysis of the two year demonstration project, which included nine months of actual training, indicated that the experimental group made significant gains in reading as compared to the control group...

Twenty years ago, A. M. Skeffington, O.D., talked about the "uniqueness" of optometry which included prevention, remediation and enhancement. Fifteen years ago, Arnold Gesell, M.D., urged optometry to pay attention to the preschool years and to examine and supervise (with optometric expertise) the vision of these children and to learn to identify those children who would present difficulties in learning. At the same time, Darell Boyd Harmon, Ph.D., suggested that optometry "gear up" for an expected avalanche of visually-related learning problems...

Behavioral and developmental optometry are in need of research. Studies conducted by optometric students can provide a major contribution. The present paper reviews selected student research studies conducted at the Illinois College of Optometry. The topics include: trends in developmental vision, phenomena in binocular vision, and techniques in diagnosis and treatment.

The role of the optometrist in treating children experiencing learning disabilities embraces numerous areas beyond the customary optometric services. Etiological, diagnostic and therapeutic factors are discussed stressing visual functional disorders, perceptual-motor and developmental lags and cognitive style. Their effects on the learning disabled child are analyzed; and the rationale of optometric procedures frequently used in treating LD children is reviewed. The optometrist may also be helpful in counseling patients who have learning readiness problems, reading disorders, psychological difficulties and nutritional deficits...