Reading Performance and Compensatory Head Posture in Infantile Nystagmus after Null Zone Training

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the visual function, reading performance, and compensatory head posture (CHP) in schoolchildren with infantile nystagmus. A total of 18 participants aged between 13 to 18 years old were divided into spectacle (n = 9) and null zone group (n = 9) based on their visual acuity. Visual acuity (LogMAR), contrast sensitivity (Pelli–Robson), reading time and rate (Tobii TX300), and CHP were measured pre and post null zone reading training. Participants in the null zone group received 10 sessions of training (5 weeks). Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity of participants in the spectacle and null zone groups were not significantly different pre and post training. Reading performance, i.e., reading time (z = −1.36; p = 0.173) and reading rate (z = −0.06; p = 0.953), of participants in the spectacle group was not significantly different after 5 weeks. Reading time (z = −2.55; p = 0.011) and reading rate (z = −2.07; p = 0.038 of participants in the null zone group showed significant improvement post training. After 5 weeks, CHP improved in six out of the nine participants (66.7%) of the null zone group and was unchanged in all participants in the spectacle group. Null zone reading training could benefit children with infantile nystagmus in improving reading performance and compensatory head posture.

Eye tracking in optometry: A systematic review

“…In most reports, the sample size estimation method used was unclear, and an arbitrary size was mentioned (Chaudhary et al, 2020). Only one group reported on the use of Cochran's formula (Fadzil et al, 2019).…”

“…Nine of the reports reviewed analyzed patterns of ocular motility during reading in both healthy subjects and in those with conditions such as nystagmus (Fadzil et al, 2019) or delayed reading (Vinuela-Navarro et al, 2017). These studies were conducted mainly in children or individuals with visual field loss (Ridder et al, 2017).…”