Randot stereoacuity testing in young children

Abstract

Objective: The Randot test is a commonly used stereoacuity test with child-friendly targets; however, little has been published about its use for young children. We sought to determine the completion rate of the Randot test among young children with normal vision and to calculate normative values.

Subjects and methods: The Randot stereoacuity test was administered to 264 children whose ages ranged from 3 to 7 years. Because this was an investigation to determine the percentage of children who could complete the Randot test, children who failed a vision screening modified from the Modified Clinical Technique were excluded to minimize confounding factors (ie, a lack of measurable stereopsis due to vision problems rather than inability to understand the test). Completion rates and cumulative percentages were calculated by age.

Results: A completion rate of 98.5% was found. Median Randot stereoacuities were 100 seconds of arc for the 3-year-old children, 70 seconds of arc for the 4-year-old children, 50 seconds of arc for the 5-year-old children, 40 seconds of arc for the 6-year-old children, and 45 seconds of arc for the 7-year-old children. Kruskal-Wallis testing revealed a significant change in stereoacuity with age (chi-square, 35.55; df = 4; P < .001), and pairwise comparisons (alpha = 0.05) revealed that the 3- and 4-year-old children were significantly different from the 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old children.

Conclusions: Randot stereoacuity can be assessed for most preschool children and all young school-aged children. In the absence of significant refractive error, strabismus, or reduced or unequal acuity, most 4-year-old children should have a Randot stereoacuity of 70 seconds of arc or better and most young school-aged children should have a Randot stereoacuity of 50 seconds of arc.