[Detection of pediatric visual defect].

Abstract

The clinical evaluation of children under one year of age suspected of blindness or severe visual impairment is discussed. Etiology of childhood blindness has shown a marked decrease of acquired causes. A marked increase occurs of the group of combined visually and generally handicapped children. This is due mainly to the increase in cerebral visual disturbances in cerebral palsies. Differentiation between visual handicap on one side and psychomotor handicap on the other side is difficult. Non visual stimulation of motor activities and observation of the level of development may be helpful. The important question to be answered is whether the actual visual capacity is sufficient for the stimulation of the development of the psychomotor potential.