Tests for the visual acuity assessment in pediatric patients

Abstract

The visual acuity measurement in children is an important Challenger for the optometrist, given de complexity of the task and to require knowledge and patience. According to the stimulus, the visual acuity can be divided in three types: detection, resolution and recognition. The values of these can be different and they are altered in different proportion in the presence of visual problems. The present article makes an overhaul of the test of the visual acuity for children which years have generated great number of investigations in the past years: Teller, Cardiff, Lea, HOTV and logMAR charts that could be used in the school age group. Materials and <em><strong>Methods:</strong></em> A documentary review of 50 references from different sources: indexed publications (47) in Pubmed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, web sites (1) and specialized books (2). Conclusions: The tests reviewed are not necessarily used commonly used our clinical daily practice, nevertheless the investigative activity concerning these has reached in the construction of diagnostic protocols. The reference for a better clinical practice must be the optometry based on the evidence, since this one allows to the professionals to have new facts that contribute to the election of the best alternative to determine the visual acuity in the children. The optometrist a must follow rigorously the protocols of evaluation of the visual acuity to give to measurements major reliability and to analyze the results obtained inside the context of the history. The methods for the evaluation of the visual acuity can be adapted in agreement with the skills, knowledge and experience of the child being examinated. There is evident the importance of realizing studies on the application of these test in order to evaluate their reliability and utility in our patients.