Purpose: To determine the response of infants and children to the Moving Dynamic Random Dot Stereosize (MDRS) test and to collect cross-sectional age-related data.
Methods: Sixty visually normal individuals were divided into four age groups: 0.5-<2, 2-<5, 5-<8, and 8-<20 years. Stereopsis was measured with the MDRS test on two occasions, plus the Frisby, Randot, or Stereo Smile tests, as was age appropriate.
Results: All children aged >2 years and 80% of the children between ages 6 months and 2 years were able to perform the MDRS test on at least one occasion. Sixty percent of the 6-month to 2-year-old children were able to perform the Stereo Smile test on both occasions. Performance on the MDRS test improved with age up to 9 years. Improvement on the Frisby and Randot tests was seen in children aged up to 7 years. Mean and 95% confidence interval ranges for each test are given.
Conclusion: This study gives evidence that aspects of the visual system are not fully mature until age 7-9 years. The MDRS test is a visually demanding but cognitively simple test that shows potential for detecting visual anomalies in young children.