Abstract
Purpose: :
The effect of low vision aids to enhance visual performance in pediatric glaucoma patients with reduced functional vision has not been described in the literature. This study aimed to determine if distance acuity is improved with low vision telescopes (LVT) and standard–correction glasses (SCG) and the effect of SCG or magnifiers on reading performance in children with glaucoma.
Methods: :
27 pediatric glaucoma patients with a corrected distance acuity ≤ 20/50 were tested. The average age of the patients was 11.2 years with a mean best–corrected distance acuity in the better seeing eye of 20/110 (range 20/50–20/700). Each patient was prescribed either a LVT (range 2X–16X), SCG and/or a magnifier which best improved their distance acuity and/or reading performance. Distance acuity (Snellen) was recorded before and after the use of the device and reading speeds were measured. Paired t–test statistics were performed on the data.
Results: :
A diagnosis of primary or secondary glaucoma was noted in 61% and 39% of patients, respectively. A LVT or SCG was used in 54% and 46% of patients for distance tasks, respectively; 9 subjects used SCG or a dome magnifier for near vision. A significant improvement (p<0.001) in distance acuity was noted with the LVT; 13 of 15 patients showed a ≥ 2–fold improvement. A significant improvement (p<0.001) in distance acuity was observed in patients who utilized SCG only, compared to their uncorrected vision; 3 of 12 showed a ≥ 2–fold improvement. Oral and silent reading speeds and comprehension were obtainable on 11 of 27 patients. Nine of 11 (82%) patients read at their age–appropriate level.
Conclusions: :
Low vision telescopes and standard–correction glasses improve distance acuity. Children with impaired vision due to glaucoma had similar reading speeds to age–matched children without visual impairment.
Keywords: low vision • reading • visual acuity