Visual acuity assessment of children with special needs.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE:A number of studies have evaluated visual acuity (VA) of special needs children, but no analyses of the parents' perception of VA testing or the utilization of VA test results by pediatric ophthalmologists have been reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS:Special needs children referred for an initial VA test (Teller Acuity Cards) during a 2-year period were enrolled (n = 309). Within the overall cohort, twenty consecutive parents whose child attended during a 6-week period completed a Parent Questionnaire before and after VA testing. Also, 58 parents of infants with cortical visual impairment (CVI) completed the Parental Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) before VA testing and 3 months later. Referring pediatric ophthalmologists (n = 12) completed a Physician Questionnaire. RESULTS:VA testing was associated with parents reporting increased knowledge scores and decreased concerns about their children's vision on the Parent Questionnaire. VA testing was also associated with reduced Total and Parental Distress subscale scores on the PSI-SF by parents of infants with CVI. Ophthalmologists reported that VA results were useful in diagnosis and clinical management and provided new information to parents, Early Childhood Intervention programs, schools, and social agencies. CONCLUSION:VA testing is of benefit in children with special needs to both their parents and ophthalmologists, providing quantitative information about visual impairment and reducing stress experienced by parents.