Visual acuity percentile curves in a Spanish paediatric population

Abstract

Purpose The main objective of this study is to obtain percentile curves of monocular and binocular visual acuity on a decimal scale in a Spanish population aged between 3 and 12 years old. Materials and method Descriptive, observational and transversal study which included children between 3 and 12 years old without any known eye and/or systemic diseases. The selection of the sample was made by means of a convenience sampling method carried out in three schools and a hospital of the Community of Madrid. Far monocular and binocular visual acuity was measured using the Bueno Matilla vision unit on a decimal scale, both for monocular and binocular tests. The test used was the symmetrical letters test included with this unit. A descriptive statistic was performed and the visual acuity percentile values obtained were 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90 and 95. Results The visual acuity of 1300 children was evaluated and analysed. In all the percentile curves obtained, an increase in age-related visual acuity has been observed, reaching a value close to the unit for the 50th percentile, around five years and three months of age, under monocular conditions and somewhat earlier in binocular conditions. Conclusion Although the type of sampling performed does not allow a generalization to the entire population, these percentile curves may help the paediatric professional to decide the referral of the relevant child to the eyecare professional, so that certain conditions, like amblyopia or the early stages of school myopia may be early detected.

Percentile curves of stereacuity in a Spanish paediatric population

“…Nonetheless, it is equally important to highlight the limitations of this study. The most important limitation, as mentioned in the visual acuity percentile study, 6 was the type of sampling used. Rather than using probabilistic sampling, convenience sampling was performed, which explains why the results are not directly translatable to the entire population, therefore meaning that these curves should be understood as indicative.…”

“…The characteristics of the sample and its inclusion criteria were the same as those used to determine the visual acuity percentile curves in the study carried out by Borja-Navas et al 6 Thus, the children from the schools that participated in the study were classified between pre-school students and sixth grade students, who are included by age in the range of 3 to 12 years. The children from the hospital facilities included in the study were those who attended a routine ophthalmological examination for the first time and who did not present obvious ocular pathology or symptoms of refractive error.…”

“…Stereoacuity was obtained using the Bueno-Matilla Vision Unit (UBM), which is also used to determine the visual acuity percentile curves. The unit description and calibration specified in the paper by Borja-Navas et al 6 were used for this study. This unit offers two tests to determine stereoacuity, in which the subjects are required to wear glasses with a red-green filter.…”

Percentile curves of refractive errors in a Spanish paediatric population

“…The sample was selected by means of a convenience sampling in three schools (Carmelo Teresiano School in Madrid, Dulce Chacón Public School in Fuenlabrada and Hermanos Torá Public School in Humanes) and one hospital (Rey Juan Carlos University Hospital of Mostoles); all of which were located in the Community of Madrid. The same inclusion criteria as used in the studies conducted by Navas-Navia et al 19 , 20 were followed with regards to visual acuity and stereopsis. As a result, the participants who were recruited from the school setting were children from pre-school through to sixth grade, and the participants who were recruited from the hospital were children who were attending their first ever routine ophthalmologic examination with no history of any ocular pathologies.…”