SCIENTIFIC CORRESPONDENCE

Examination of young children with Lea symbols

R Becker, S Hübsch, M H Gräf and H Kaufmann

Department of Strabology and Neuroophthalmology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Ralph Becker, Department of Strabology and Neuroophthalmology, University of Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 18, D-35385 Giessen, Germany;
ralph-becker{at}web.de

Aims: In order to establish normal values and interocular differences of visual acuity, Lea symbols were applied to neurologically and ophthalmologically normal children.

Methods: 385 children (21–93 months old) were examined, within a routine check up in an urban paediatric practice where Lea symbol acuity (LS) was measured. Of these children, 90 were re-examined in hospital comparing Lea symbol acuity (LS) and Landolt C acuity (LC). Strabismus, ametropia, and any organic eye disease were excluded.

Results: In the paediatric practice, LS could be measured on both eyes in 54% of the children. In the age group above 36 and 48 months the success rate was 76% and 95%, respectively. Acuity in the paediatric practice ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 (median 1.25) in the whole group. Interocular acuity difference was one line or less in 80%. In the hospital, LS and LC could be measured on both eyes of 77% and 48% of the 90 children, respectively. Cooperation increased with age. LS in the hospital ranged from 0.32 to 2.0 (median 1.0) and LC from 0.16 to 1.25 (median 0.8). Interocular difference of LS acuity was one line or less in 90%.

Conclusion: Lea symbols were found to be useful for visual acuity assessment in early childhood. Significant variability of visual acuity in this age group is caused by cooperation. When monocular measurements are possible on both eyes, however, the intraindividual interocular difference of visual acuity usually does not exceed one line.

Keywords: Lea symbols; children; amblyopia; visual acuity

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Articles

Use of Lea symbols in young children

M X Repka
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2002 86: 489-490. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

BJO at a glance

Creig Hoyt
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2002 86: 489. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Chen, S. I., Chandna, A., Norcia, A. M., Pettet, M., Stone, D. (2006). The Repeatability of Best Corrected Acuity in Normal and Amblyopic Children 4 to 12 Years of Age. IOVS 47: 614-619 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Stiers, P., Vanderkelen, R., Vandenbussche, E. (2003). Optotype and Grating Visual Acuity in Preschool Children. IOVS 44: 4123-4130 [Abstract] [Full Text]