Normal vernier acuity in infants with delayed visual maturation

PURPOSE: Measures of vernier acuity may correlate accurately with measures of Snellen acuity. We used the sweep visual evoked potential to determine whether vernier acuity is normal in children with delayed visual maturation (DVM).

DESIGN: Case series of two infants.

METHODS: Thresholds for grating and vernier acuity were measured electrophysiologically in two infants with DVM using the sweep visual evoked potential. Acuity thresholds were calculated for each of these visual functions.

RESULTS: Two infants with DVM had normal thresholds for grating and vernier acuity, even though their visual behavior as determined clinically was abnormal.

CONCLUSIONS: Some children with DVM have normal acuity thresholds, even though the behaviors associated with vision are delayed or absent.