The Parsons visual acuity test for screening children 18 to 48 months old.

The Parsons visual acuity test (PVAT) uses modified Allen test targets for visual acuity assessment in young children and persons who are difficult to test. Using this method, we were able to obtain a visual acuity threshold in 44% of 18- to 24-month-old children and in 90% of children aged 25 to 36 months. At all ages tested, the mode for visual acuity was 20/30; however, the percentage of those with 20/20 increased with age. The decision whether to refer was correctly made by means of the PVAT criterion 83% of the time.

Noncycloplegic vs cycloplegic retinoscopy in pre-school children.

Refractive errors in 311 children between the ages of 18 and 48 months were assessed utilizing standard cycloplegic retinoscopy and a noncycloplegic near retinoscopy technique as promulgated by Mohindra. Results from this study indicate little agreement between the two objective refraction methods.

The school nurse's role in vision screening for the difficult-to-test student.

This article discusses the importance of providing vision screening services to students who are difficult-to-test and describes strategies for providing such services. Included in the discussion is an overview of various instruments that may be used to assess visual acuity. One of the instruments, the Parsons Visual Acuity Test, is described in detail as a tool for assessing visual acuity of the difficult-to-test. In addition, a discussion is presented which emphasizes the importance of providing follow-up services to those children who are referred for professional eye examinations. The authors delineate the vital role of the school nurse in assisting the difficult-to-test students to gain necessary vision care services through screening, referral, obtaining appropriate treatment and providing follow-up services.