IATS Clinical Trial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IATS Clinical Trial

Visual Acuity Testing Tips

       for Parents and Caregivers

How can you help us?

•  Make sure your child is well rested.

• Put the eye patch on the untreated eye at least one hour before you    arrive for your appointment.

•  Bring with you the usual supplies you have for keeping your infant     comfortble, like:

•  snacks and drinks for breaks

•  extra diapers

•  a favorite toy or blanket

•  a pacifier if your child uses one

•  Be prepared to hold your child, but allow him/her to complete the testing without your influence.

Preparing your child for the Visual Acuity Testing is fairly simple. This is not a test of how well your child behaves. We need to find out how well he/she can see. The testing is designed for infants.  Many infants enjoy the testing as a game of peek-a-boo.  We also are ready to work with your child if he/she gets fussy. We will do our best to adapt to the pace your child needs and take breaks as necessary to keep your child interested in his/her job. Please bring a few toys to help us distract your child and keep him/her interested in working with us.

The main way in which you can help prepare your child is by doing your best to help him/her get a reasonable night's sleep before the testing. The appointment will most likely be scheduled for the morning. Years of experience have shown that testing an infant during the morning means the child is more likely to be alert and stay in a good mood. This is true even if you think expect your child to take a long nap in the middle of the day. You can also assist your child by planning an easy day on the day before the appointment, arriving early to the appointment so you both will be relaxed and staying overnight near the Clinical Center if you have a long drive.

You will be asked to bring your child in with an eye patch on his/her untreated eye. Patching will probably be a routine event to your child by the time you bring him/her in for this testing. We expect that your child will be the most upset about wearing the eye patch immediately after it is put on. We ask that you put an eye patch on the untreated eye at least one hour before the appointment. Having your child arrive wearing the patch will give us a better start as we anticipate he/she will have had an opportunity to adjust to it the patch.

You will be with your child at all times. We are sensitive to the fact that your child may be particularly wary of strangers. We do not expect to hold your child for the testing and will only hold your child to be helpful if you and your child are comfortable with that arrangement. You will be holding your child on your lap facing away from you. During the actual testing it will be easiest if the tester is the only one who interacts and talks with your child.

We are very good at getting your child to do what we need. Your job will be to help us by holding your child in your lap and keeping him/her from pulling the eye patch off. We will be watching where your child looks. Your view of the test cards will be blocked by an opaque screen. It is important that you not accidentally influence where your child is looking. You will be guided on how to help us. We will do our best to make this a pleasant experience for both you and your child.

Children get sick. We are used to this. If your child comes down with a fever, cold, or other illness, please call your Clinical Coordinator. If your child is taking any medications that might lead to drowsiness and/or that are out of the ordinary such as antihistamines, please let the Clinical Coordinator know. He/she will be prepared to reschedule the appointment if it is deemed necessary.

We will share the testing results with your child's eye doctor who will review our findings with you.

 

IATS