Key words: binocular vision, stereovision, image disparity, stereotests.

Summary. Objective. The aim of this work was to evaluate the stereovision and the stereoacuity of the preschool children and to compare various stereotests. Material and methods.The test group consisted of 118 children who were divided into 3 age groups: 2–3 year-old group (22.03%), 4–5 year-old group (43.22%) and 6–7 year-old group (34.75%). Titmus, Lang I and contour anaglyphic pictures stereotests were used. Results. The stereovision was investigated in 94.92% of children (88.46% in 2–3 year old group, 96.08% in 4–5 years and 97.56% in 6–7 year-old group). The stereoacuity of 40" was detected in 63.41% of 6–7 year-old and only in 7.69% of 2–3 year-old children. Conclusions. A reverse correlation was noticed between the stereoacuity and the frequency of positive results in all age groups. The frequency of positive stereovision in various disparity levels and the stereoacuity increase together with the age of children; these data were significant between the groups of 2–3 years and 6–7 years (p<0.05). Data did not show significant differences between various stereotests, but we noticed that contoured stereotests were more comprehensible to the 2–5 year-old children.

Correspondence to O. Majauskienė, Eye Clinic, Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital, Eivenių 2, 50010 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: okuliaras@omni.lt

Received 20 January 2004, accepted 19 March 2004