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Visual Fixation

Aka: Visual Fixation

General
1. Child fixates on an object and follows movement
Indication
1. Test for Amblyopia
2. Nonverbal or Preverbal children
3. Infants over age 3 months can perform this test
Technique
1. Child sitting in parent's lap
2. Interesting object presented at arms length
  1. Young Infants: examiner's face or penlight
  2. Older infants to toddlers: toys or bright colors
3. Move object through child's fields of gaze
  1. Repeat procedure with one eye covered
4. Avoid frightening child when covering eye
  1. Use thumb or parent's hand
Interpretation: Amblyopia present
1. Child consistently cries when good eye covered
2. Does not protest when amblyopic eye is covered
References
1. Berson (1987) Ophthalmology Study Guide, AAO, p. 106
2. Essman (1992) Am Fam Physician 46(4):1243-52
3. Mills (1999) Am Fam Physician 60(3):907-16
4. Simon (2001) Am Fam Physician 64(4):623-8

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 10/21/2007 and last published on 5/14/2013.

This is one of 5887 pages in the Family Practice Notebook