Random dot stereoacuity of preschool children. ALSPAC "Children in Focus" Study Team.

PURPOSE

Commercially available book-format random dot stereopsis tests for children are quick and simple to use, but provide accurate measurement of stereoacuity only in children age 5 years or older. Alternative methods for preschool children provide only pass/fail information or require lengthy laboratory-based protocols. To address the need for a quick and accurate measure of random dot stereoacuity in the preschool age range, we developed a new book-format random dot stereoacuity test.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 25 potential shapes for the new test were evaluated in a group of 43 healthy full-term children aged 3 years +/- 2 months. Eleven shapes that were identified successfully by more than 95% of the 3-year-olds were selected to be incorporated into the preschool stereotest. The preschool random dot stereotest books were administered to more than 1000 normal children and pediatric patients in multiple settings: a research laboratory (Retina Foundation SW), a population screening project (University of Bristol, UK), eye clinics (Children's Medical Center, Dallas, Tex), and a day care center (Federal University, São Paulo, Brazil). Randot, Lang 1, Frisby, or Titmus stereoacuity tests also were administered. Orthoptic or ophthalmic examinations were obtained for all children as a gold standard. Outcome measures were success rate and concordance with the clinical examination. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy exceeded 0.90 both in clinical and screening settings.

CONCLUSIONS

The preschool random dot books had a higher success rate than other tests in the preschool age range and provided accurate measurement of stereoacuity in the 3- to 5-year-old age range.