doiSerbia

Reading performances of low vision children after using low vision aid

Tončić Zorica (Clinical Center of Montenegro, Clinic for children disease, Ophthalmology service, Podgorica, Montenegro)
Jovović Nataša (Clinical Center of Montenegro, Clinic for children disease, Ophthalmology service, Podgorica, Montenegro)
Šakotić Nada (University of Monetenegro, Faculty of philosophy, Nikšić, Montenegro)
Milović Veselinka (University of Monetenegro, Faculty of philosophy, Nikšić, Montenegro)
Janićijević Katarina (Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Kragujevac)
Petrović-Janićijević Mirjana (Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Kragujevac)
Jovanović Svetlana (Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Kragujevac)

Introduction/Objective. The objectives of the paper are to assess the causes of low vision (LV) in pediatric population in Montenegro and to evaluate the influence of low vision aids (LVA) on reading performance regarding the speed of reading and the understanding of the read text. Methods. A prospective study was conducted on 40 “treatable” LV children what represent all registered LV children in Montenegro. All participants read the same text before and after using LVA. Reading rate was calculated as the number of words read per minute. Functional speed of reading was calculated as the ratio of the rate of reading and the understanding of the read text multiplied by 100. Results. The study comprised 40 LV children with the mean age of 12.60 ± 4.06 years (20 boys and 20 girls). The most common cause of LV in children were premature retinopathy (10/40 or 25%), retinitis pigmentosa (8/40 or 20%), optic nerve anomaly (5/40 or 13%), degenerative myopia (4/40 or 10%), macular dysgenesis (4/40 or 10%), Stargardt disease (3/40 or 7%), optic nerve atrophy (2/40 or 5%), and albinism (2/40 or 5%). Nystagmus was found in 11 LV children or 28% of the group. LVA were prescribed to all of them. Reading speed before vs. after LVA use was 36.58 ± 35.60 vs. 73.83 ± 27.05 words/minute (p < 0.001), while functional reading was 26.00 ± 30.43 vs. 59.41 ± 29.34 (p < 0.001). Conclusion. LV children demonstrate a significant improvement in reading performance by using LVA.

Keywords: low vision aid, low vision children, reading performances