Stereoacuity norms for school-age children using the Frisby stereotest

Abstract

Background: The Frisby stereotest and the TNO test for stereoscopic vision are popular clinical tests for assessing stereoacuity: however, reference data for school-age children for the Frisby stereotest are limited. This study compared stereoacuity results of both tests in a large sample of typically developing school-age children.

Methods: Primary (elementary school grades 1-6) and post-primary (high school grades 7-11) students aged 6-16 years were recruited and assessed in schools. Stereoacuity thresholds were measured using the Frisby and TNO stereotests. Children with ocular pathology, anisometropia of ≥1.00 D, interocular difference of visual acuity ≥0.2 logMAR, or strabismus were excluded.

Results: A total of 212 children were recruited; data for 186 subjects were analyzed. Median Frisby stereoacuity scores were, for crossed disparity, 20 arcsec for primary and 10 arcsec for post-primary children and, for uncrossed disparity, 25 arcsec (primary) and 10 arcsec (post-primary). TNO stereoacuity was 60 arcsec for both age groups. For Frisby stereoacuity, scores of 85 arcsec (crossed) and 170 arcsec (uncrossed) or better were achieved by 95% of primary school children; scores of 85 arcsec (crossed and uncrossed) or better were achieved by 95% of post-primary subjects. A statistically significant difference in median stereoacuity scores was noted across age groups for the Frisby stereotest (crossed: z = 4.67, P < 0.0001; uncrossed: z = 4.67, P < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference in stereoacuity scores was noted with the TNO stereotest (z = 1.35, P = 0.18). A significant weak correlation was found between the Frisby and TNO stereotests (Frisby [crossed], r = 0.21 P < 0.005).

Conclusions: These data describe normative values for the Frisby stereotest for children aged 6-16 years. Participants recorded significantly better stereoacuity scores with the Frisby stereotest than the TNO stereotest. The Frisby stereotest values are weakly correlated with the TNO stereoacuity test.