Instruments for evaluation of functionality in children with low vision: a literature review

Abstract

We conducted a literature review of tools used to evaluate functionality in children with low vision with the aim of analyzing the applicability, advantages, and disadvantages for children <6 years of age, an age at which visual development is mostly complete. Publications in Portuguese, English and, Spanish describing functional evaluation tools for children aged 0-18 years with low vision in the following databases were included: Web of Science, Virtual Health Library, Cochrane, Scielo, and PubMed. A total of 181 articles were collected, 15 of which were included in this review. Thirteen tools were identified, nine of which evaluated overall functionality and quality of life through questionnaires. The other 4 instruments, using a observational test model, evaluated functionality and they were elected. Observational tests chosen for their accuracy and lower selection bias were used to evaluate visual functionality. Of these, the Functional Vision Assessment up to 6 years seems to be promising. In conclusion, we observed a lack of tools for evaluating functionality in children with low vision. This type of evaluation is necessary for planning visual rehabilitation to improve quality of life in children with low vision.

Evaluación oftalmológica en niños derivados a un proyecto de rehabilitación en baja visión de un organismo de apoyo social

“…No existe evidencia ni guías claras que estandaricen esta medición. Una revisión sistemática 20 para determinar el impacto de una cartilla de visión cercana y los métodos para estimarla recomienda en niños hasta 3 años usar procedimientos de mirada preferencial; entre 4 a 7 años test basados en símbolos LEA y para mayores de 8 años, con respuesta verbal o que asimilen símbolos, cartillas ETDRS, porque serían más predecibles para una visión funcional 21 . En nuestro estudio se utilizó el test de visión próxima de Zeiss en niños letrados y se consideró éxito lograr AV mayor o igual a 0,4 con ayuda óptica, por ser una recomendación de la Fundación ONCE, reconocida institución española dedicada a la rehabilitación visual 10 y porque esta visión les permite leer e ingresar a la educación regular.…”

From the Editor’s Desk

“…They are responsible for detecting ocular lesions and initiating early intervention for visual development during the critical period of neuroplasticity. 26 To summarize, a better understanding and insight into the clinical manifestations of the Zika virus will help ophthalmologists be aware of the key role they can play in identifying and managing the disease. ://dx.doi.org/10.7869/djo.387…”

Implicações da exposição ao zika vírus durante a gestação para o desenvolvimento da função visual

“…Nesse sentido, a avaliação de limiares sensoriais da AV e das demais funções visuais precisa ser complementada com medidas funcionais, que objetivem prever em que medida as potenciais perdas identificadas por métodos psicofísicos impactam a vida do paciente. No contexto da oftalmopediatria, uma série de ferramentas têm sido desenvolvidas para tal propósito (Brandão et al, 2017). , por exemplo, utilizaram o Parents and Their Infants with Visual Impairments (PAIVI) de forma complementar à avaliação da AV em casos de CZS, encontrando que todas os 31 pacientes testados demonstraram perdas em pelo menos um domínio testado, como capacidade de manter contato visual com um adulto, responder a um estímulo de sorriso social, ou reconhecer expressões faciais.…”