[A new method for objective vision assessment using infrared nystagmography].

Abstract

Objective assessment of visual acuity (VA) is necessary in cases of malingering or poor cooperation in subjective VA evaluation. Based on Ohm's idea of the suppression of experimentally evoked optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), a new objective visual acuity test is presented. A commercially available system for monitoring eye movement (OBER2) allows the test to be performed on a standard PC with a minimum amount of time. A grating pattern moving horizontally on the screen evokes OKN, which is recorded by infrared nystagmography. Superimposed black optotypes of increasing size (brake marks) suppress OKN as soon as they are recognized. Eighty-two normal eyes with VA artificially reduced by different Bangerter dispersion foils (VA 0.04-1.6) and 152 eyes with visual disturbances (VA 0.04-1.0) of various etiologies were examined. The test allowed estimation of the least VA in steps of > or = 1.0, > or = 0.25, > or = 0.1, > or = 0.05. None of the eyes examined had a VA below these values when the OKN was suppressed by the referring brake mark.