COMPARISON OF VISUAL ASSESSMENT TESTS IN MULTIPLY HANDICAPPED-CHILDREN

The aims of this study were to compare acuity estimates achieved with visual evoked potential (VEP) and acuity card techniques and to examin e the success rates of each test in a group of multiply handicapped ch ildren. Subjects were 52 children (3-183 months) with multiple handica ps associated with prematurity (n = 17), congenital anomalies (n = 16) , hypoxic insult (n = 10) and other disorders (n = 9). Success rates f or completing the tests were: VEP 88% and acuity cards 85% (Keeler or Cardiff). The acuity card tests were less likely to be successfully co mpleted in the severely disabled (p<0.05) and in those children with n ystagmus (p<0.05). When both acuity cards were successful, results agr eed to within +/-1.75 octaves. Acuity card were significantly correlat ed with VEP (p<0.02), but thresholds achieved with VEPs were better in children with poor vision.