Enfant Vision Testing

Did you know that according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vision disorders are the fourth most common disability among children in the US?  I had no idea!

I recently learned about a new vision testing system that can be used on pre-verbal children as young as 6 months old.  The Enfant Pediatric VEP Vision Testing System is the first and only of its kind and is a non-invasive medical device that tests for visual defects such as optic nerve disorders, refractive errors, and amblyopia.  The test does not require dilation or sedation and is painless.

The Enfant uses technology known as Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) that evaluates the response of an external stimulant from the lens of the eye to the visual cortex of the brain.  The Enfant is able to identify vision defects that physicians might not detect using normal vision tests.  Since the Enfant does not require a response from the patient, it can be used on very young children.

Here are some facts about Enfant:

The Enfant Pediatric VEP Vision Testing System:
• Utilizes clinically proven, FDA-approved technology
• Delivers a 97% sensitivity in detecting visual deficits where and when they exist
• Provides immediate, on-site test results in simple, pass/fail format
• Requires no dilation or sedation for maximum patient safety
• Features child-friendly animated characters and graphics accompanied by music
• Can be completed in five to seven minutes, contributing to a more than 90% test completion rate
• Is currently utilized by more than 250 pediatric practices, and is easily incorporated into a child’s regular well care visit
• Stimulates the vision system with a specific pattern to elicit electrical signals to the visual cortex of the brain
• Uses objective, statistical analysis to assess the child’s neurological response to the stimuli, and compares the two eyes to determine if asymmetries are present
• If asymmetries are present, the patient is referred to an eye care specialist for further evaluation

To learn more about Enfant Vision Testing please visit their website.  There is a FAQ section that is full of information.  You can also find a pediatric doctor who can perform the test in your area by clicking here.

If you have experience with this test, I would love to hear from you.