Low vision aids for preschool children.

A study was made of the use of low vision aids to augment the vision of children with very severe visual disability. This paper reports the results for 28 children, using a 'lobster pot' stand magnifier, 26 of whom were aged between 18 and 60 months. Success was evaluated by measuring functional vision for nursery-age learning material in aided and unaided conditions. Half the children showed improved functional vision and one-third retained the magnifier for continued use. The influence of visual power and developmental maturity in five key areas was explored. A two-year developmental level was shown to be adequate, with some interaction between developmental maturity and visual level. There was also a tendency for unaided functional vision to improve during the trial period with the magnifier at home.