Assessment of visual acuity in toddlers and children with developmental delays: The joint contribution of ophthalmology, orthoptics, and psychology

This study presents the concept of visual acuity assessment as well as the difficulties found for this assessment in low vision persons, particularly toddlers and children with developmental delays. The BUST (Lindstedt) and LH (Hyvarinen) tests, specifically designed for this population, are described here. In addition, a study aimed at testing the feasibility of obtaining visual acuity measures in seven children, who would possibly have difficulties in responding to conventional visual acuity tests, is presented. The subjects included one deaf toddler and six low vision children, some with developmental delays. It was possible to arrive at numerical values for six of the children. The importance of paying attention to the psychological aspects of the procedure is discussed and emphasized.