Testability of Stereopsis Using the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity Test in African–American and Hispanic Children: The Multi–Ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study

Abstract

Purpose: : To determine testability of stereoacuity using the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity Test in African–American and Hispanic preschool children.

Methods: : A population–based cohort of children 30–72 months of age was administered the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity Test, with presenting refractive correction, before cover testing, visual acuity testing or refraction. Children who could not point to specified two–dimensional demonstration pictures, and children who would not try to name random dot figures or match random dot figures to corresponding two–dimensional pictures, were classified as unable to perform the test. Children who were able to perform the task but could not correctly identify at least two 800 arc–second random dot figures were classified as having no stereopsis, and were retested by another examiner.

Results: : Stereoacuity testing was attempted in 1655 children without strabismus or amblyopia (935 Hispanic, 719 African–American; 835 male, 820 female). 82% of children overall were able to be tested. 41% of children 30–36 months of age, 76% of children 37–48 months of age, 96% of children 49–60 months of age, and over 99% of children 61–72 months of age were testable. Age–stratified testability was similar for males and females (p>0.09, chi–square), and for African–American and Hispanic children (p>0.20, chi–square). Of the 1.9% of testable children who had no demonstrable stereopsis on initial testing, 31% demonstrated stereopsis on retesting.

Conclusions: : The Randot Preschool Stereoacuity test is a simple, easy–to–use method of assessing stereoacuity in preschool children. Over 4 out of 5 preschool children aged 30–72 months can perform the Randot Stereoacuity test. Older children perform the test more easily than younger children: success increases steadily with age until it reaches a plateau of high testability by about 48 months. There are no gender– or ethnicity–related differences in testability in this cohort of minority children.

Keywords: binocular vision/stereopsis • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence