Checklist for the evaluation of low vision in uncooperative patients

Purpose: To present a checklist for the evaluation of low vision in uncoope rative patients; in this specific case, children with neurological deficits . Method: The checklist includes several behavioral indicators obtainable wit h a standard clinical examination. Each test is assigned a score (0 = failu re, 1 = success). The final visual quotient score is obtained by dividing t he partial score by the total number of tests performed. Eleven children wi th cerebral visual impairment were studied using behavioral and preferentia l looking techniques. Results: Visual quotient was >0 in all patients, indicating that residual v isual function was always detectable. Average visual quotient was 0:74. Conclusion:Visual quotient can be useful both for follow-up examinations an d comparison and integration with other evaluation methods (behavioral and instrumental) of residual visual capacity. In particular, if combined with preferential looking techniques, visual quotient testing permits characteri zation of the entire spectrum of low vision.