© 2002 British Journal of Ophthalmology
EDITORIAL
Eye tests
Use of Lea symbols in young children
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 233 Wilmer, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287–9028, USA
Clinicians must continue to refine as well as develop new visual acuity tests for preschool children
Keywords: Lea symbols; children; visual acuity
A ccurate measurement of visual acuity is fundamental to ophthalmological care for all ages. This measure is used for diagnosis, for documentation of clinical outcomes, for qualification for special education or disability programmes, and for permission to drive a motor vehicle. More than 20 years ago the importance of ensuring that such a measure be scientifically rigorous was recognised with the development of the Bailey-Lovie visual acuity test1 and the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) test derived from it.2 The ETDRS test incorporated important design elements including letter selection, proportional optotype spacing, standard illumination, methods of administration, and scoring. Despite the quality of this test for school age children and adult patients, it is too difficult for preschool children.
Clinicians testing visual acuity of preschool children have not yet found a single best test. An accurate, reproducible, and highly testable measure is needed by the paediatric
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Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2002 86: 489.
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2002 86: 513-516.
This article has been cited by other articles:
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Barry, J-C, Konig, H-H
(2003). Test characteristics of orthoptic screening examination in 3 year old kindergarten children. Br. J. Ophthalmol.
87: 909-916
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