Reliability of the Developmental Eye Movement Test

Abstract

Although the DEM is widely used in optometric practice, the results of this study suggest that clinicians should be cautious about using the DEM test in isolation for reaching a diagnosis or monitoring the effectiveness of treatment for saccadic dysfunction.

Vision and academic performance in primary school children

“…While other studies have reported significant relationships between the DEM ratio and reading outcomes, they also noted that the associations were stronger for the horizontal and vertical times. Furthermore, the horizontal and vertical DEM times have shown better repeatability than the ratio, which may explain their stronger associations with academic outcomes in the present study.…”

“…43 While other studies have reported significant relationships between the DEM ratio and reading outcomes, 36,39 they also noted that the associations were stronger for the horizontal and vertical times. Furthermore, the horizontal and vertical DEM times have shown better repeatability than the ratio, 44 which may explain their stronger associations with academic outcomes in the present study. Importantly, while our findings demonstrate that slower horizontal and vertical DEM times are associated with lower levels of academic performance (including reading and other core academic skills) we cannot conclude a causative relationship, given the cross-sectional nature of this study.…”

The Reliability of the DEM Test in the Clinical Environment

“… Orlansky et al (2011) performed a more extensive evaluation of reliability in a multi-center study. More than 180 subjects were tested in two sessions, in each of which they were each evaluated three times.…”

“…In fact, this concept was better explained by the agreement term, which represents the similarity of scores, and judgment or diagnoses with respect to the degree in which they differ ( Kottner and Streiner, 2011 ). Rouse et al (2004) and Orlansky et al (2011) have shown that the true problem with the DEM test appears to be the improvement between sessions, which can be defined as a form of lack of agreement. This improvement was also defined as learning effect ( Orlansky et al, 2011 ) and reported in terms of mean change and its respective limits of agreement ( Altman and Bland, 1983 ).…”

“…Rouse et al (2004) and Orlansky et al (2011) have shown that the true problem with the DEM test appears to be the improvement between sessions, which can be defined as a form of lack of agreement. This improvement was also defined as learning effect ( Orlansky et al, 2011 ) and reported in terms of mean change and its respective limits of agreement ( Altman and Bland, 1983 ).…”