The Rotterdam C-chart: Norm Values for Visual Acuity and Interocular Differences in 5-Year-old Children

Common C-charts are often not suitable for developmental studies and assessment of visual acuity in young and visual impaired children, because of unequal steps between lines, uncomparable crowding, inadequate number of large optotypes on the first line and ceiling effects. Therefore a new C-chart (the Rotterdam C-chart) was developed on which optotypes on successive lines decreased in 1/3-octave steps (0.1-log steps) and on which crowding was comparable over the entire chart. Norm values for binocular and monocular visual acuity at test distances of 6 m and 40 cm and norm values for interocular acuity differences in 5-year-old children were determined by testing 201 5-year-olds with this chart. Results were compared to those obtained in 24 young adults. Although mean binocular and monocular acuity of the 5-year-olds were significantly lower than in adults, the distribution of acuity assessments were similar in the children and adults. Therefore, the Rotterdam C-chart seems suitable for developmental studies and for the assessment of visual acuity in young and visually impaired children.