AUTOMATED VISUAL-FIELD EXAMINATION IN CHILDREN AGED 5-8 YEARS - PART-II - NORMATIVE VALUES

We determined normative values for the visual sensitivity threshold in 118 children aged 5-8 years, using automated static perimetry (Octopu s 2000R, program 32). In addition, 17 normal adults were tested. The c hildren first underwent a familiarization procedure. One week later, q uantitative examination was performed according to a specially designe d schedule divided into three phases. For each of the 76 points tested , mean thresholds and standard deviations were calculated as a functio n of age. In contrast to previous studies, sensitivity difference betw een adults and children over the central 30 degrees of the visual held emerged only for the youngest age groups (5- and 6-year olds). Both t he response rate in false-negative trials, and values of a within-subj ect threshold variability index, suggested that 5- and 6-year-olds' hi gher thresholds were inflated by non physiological factors: such as vi gilance and cognitive processes. For these ages, the data reported her e should therefore be considered as an approximation of the upper leve l of the thresholds. In contrast, our results for 7- and 8 year-old ch ildren provided reliable normative values for light sensitivity across the visual held. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.