The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #37254

Cyril Blavo, DO, MPH, and TM, Rachel A. Coulter, OD, Josephine Shallo-Hoffmann, PhD, Eugene E. Hartmann, Ph D, Stacy Friedman, OD, and Amanda Zeller, BA. Nova Southeastern University, address, City, AL 00000, 000-000-0000, cblavo@nova.edu

PURPOSE: Early detection of amblyopia and other visual problems relies on accurate measurement of visual acuity. The Lea and HOTV visual acuity tests and the Randot E steroacuity tests are both recommended for use in preschool children. The purpose of this study was to compare the testability and latency to perform the Lea and HOTV visual acuity tests. METHODS: Visual screening of 139 children aged 3-, 4-, 5 and 6-year-old was performed using the HOTV and Lea visual acuity test and the Random Dot E stereo Acuity test. Current recommendations for screening by visual acuity tests were followed.1 Half of the group performed the HOTV test first and the other half performed the Lea test first. Each child then performed the remaining visual acuity test second. The time that each child required to complete each test was recorded. If the child completed the entire test, his or her performance was determined to be a PASS or FAIL. All children who could not complete the test were identified. Testability and latency were then calculated. RESULTS: Simple one-way ANOVA's were conducted to ascertain whether time necessary to complete the HOTV, the LEA and the Randot E tests, differed by age (3-4-5- year olds). Preliminary results from our screening of the 139 3-, 4- and 5- year old children from the preschool programs of Nova Southeastern University revealed the following significant findings.

1. The time necessary on the average for a pre-school-aged child to complete the HOTV visual acuity test was the same as the time to complete the LEA test.

Learning Objectives:

• In preschool vision screening, identify what characteristic is most predictive of testability.
• Compare the HOTV and Lea visual acuity test in terms of latency to perform and testability.

Keywords: Vision Care, Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.