Visual acuity testing of young children with the Cambridge Crowding Cards at 3 and 6 m

Abstract

Keywords: A modification of the single optotype Sheridan Gardiner test for pre‐school children has been used to measure visual crowding. A significant ‘crowding effect’ has been found in children between the ages of 3 and 6 years with a general decrease in the effect over the pre‐school years. The ‘crowding’ in 5–7 year olds is not significantly greater than that found in adults. No significant difference has been found in the extent of crowding using the test at 3 m rather than the normal 6 m viewing distance, although in general the test has been found to be practically easier with better co‐operation at 3 m for the younger children. For these reasons, this particular test at 3 m would seem to be well suited to acuity testing in pre‐school children, when an acuity equivalent to Snellen values is required.