Early visual training and environmental adaptation for infants with visual impairment.
Elisa Fazzi, Serena Micheletti, Stefano Calza and 3 others
PMID 34813110WHAT IT FOUND
Infants with visual impairment who received intensive visual training improved in eye control and hand-eye coordination compared to those who received only routine care.
Both groups improved in visual acuity. The training required at least three sessions per week for six months.
Key findings
01The treatment group showed significantly greater improvement than the comparison group in visual fixation and smooth pursuit.
02Developmental scores for hand-eye coordination and performance improved significantly in the treatment group, while scores decreased in the comparison group.
03Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity improved significantly in both the treatment and comparison groups, with no significant difference between them.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was a pilot trial with a small sample size of 60 infants, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Participants were not randomized; assignment was based on convenience and sequential matching, which may introduce selection bias. The comparison group received routine care that may have included some environmental adaptations, potentially diluting the observed effect of the specific training programme. The Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales were modified for visual impairment and are not validated for this specific population, which may affect the accuracy of developmental assessments. Visual acuity measurement using Teller Acuity Cards may have been biased for infants with severe visual impairment who could not see the largest stripes. The intervention was highly intensive (three sessions per week), which may be impractical for many families due to time and cost.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest or funding sources were reported in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that visual acuity improved because of the training programme. Both the treatment and comparison groups improved significantly in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, with no significant difference between them. The observed benefits of the training were specific to eye control and hand-eye coordination.