Artikel
Visual acuity measurement in infants by means of the swinging triangle test according to René Spitz
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Autoren
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C. Kandzia
- Klinik für Ophthalmologie des Universitäts-Klinikums Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel
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J. A. Reichelt
- Klinik für Ophthalmologie des Universitäts-Klinikums Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel
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J. Roider
- Klinik für Ophthalmologie des Universitäts-Klinikums Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel
| Veröffentlicht: | 22. September 2004 |
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Gliederung
Text
Objective
Visual acuity measurement in infants is difficult even in a semiquantitative way. We introduce a new method which is easy to perform.
Methods
Our method is based on the psychophysiological reaction (i.e. smiling) of the infant when shown a vertically swinging triangle (René Spitz). By modifying the test using triangles of decreasing size it is possible to get an equivalent to visual acuity. We have performed this test with 15 children aged two until five months. Triangles in varying sizes are moved up and down at a distance of 50cm from the eye. If the child recognizes the form of the triangle, it associates it with the smiling mouth of a person it relates to. This reaction proves the recognition of the form as well as the size of the triangles.
Results
Our method produces good semiquantitative results in many cases. The test is easily and quickly performed.
Conclusions
Like all visual acuity tests with infants our method provides only approximative values. To correlate these with subjectively measured acuity values at a later age will certainly be difficult. Still, our method presents an easily performed alternative to usual tests.
