The authors present a prospective cross-sectional comparison study at a single centre. Paediatric patients attending an ophthalmology outpatient clinic and likely to be cooperative were approached to participate. Participants underwent stereoacuity assessment using the ASTEROID and Titmus tests, usually in this order to prevent binocularity disruption. The same examiner delivered both tests. For analysis four stereoacuity groups were created: very course to nil (120” of arc or worse), course (201–1199” of arc), moderate (61–200” of arc) and fine (60” of arc or better). The following data were extracted from medical records: age, sex, best corrected visual acuity, ocular alignment and motility assessments and medical history. A total of 112 participants were recruited. In the 5–7 age group, 28 had normal visual acuity with strabismus in 43% and 30 had abnormal visual acuity with strabismus in 57%. In the 8–13 age group, 34 had normal visual acuity with strabismus in 34% and 20 had abnormal visual acuity with strabismus in 55%. The proportion with strabismus was not significantly different across groups. Group scores of both the ASTEROID and Titmus tests are reported. Agreement between the tests was moderate (55%). The disagreements were explored; the general trend was for ASTEROID stereoacuity to be lower. The authors hypothesised this could be due to better test sensitivity and less overestimation caused by monocular cues. Several limitations of the study are reported, including a small sample size from a single centre with selection of cooperative participants. The ASTEROID test offers a promising new way to assess stereoacuity in free space for a paediatric population, although limitations of requiring a specific tablet device exists. Further research with comparison to other stereoacuity tests is required.
How does a tablet based stereoacuity test perform in children with normal and abnormal visual acuity?
Reviewed by Lauren Hepworth
Evaluation of 3D tablet-based stereoacuity test ASTEROID in children with normal and abnormal visual acuity.
CONTRIBUTOR
Lauren R Hepworth
University of Liverpool; Honorary Stroke Specialist Clinical Orthoptist, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust; St Helen’s and Knowsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
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