Reading performance of low vision children after using low vision aids

Abstract

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.