Quantification of gaze reaction time in infants with Pediatric Perimeter.

Abstract

PurposeWe quantified the eye/head (gaze) reaction time in infants to establish a normative database for the Pediatric Perimeter device. Additionally, we tested the hypothesis that gaze reaction time will reduce with age.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. Healthy infants between 3 to 10 months of age were recruited. Peripheral visual field stimuli (hemifield and quadrant stimuli) were presented in the Pediatric Perimeter device. Infant's gaze to these stimuli was observed, documented in real time, and video recorded for offline analysis.ResultsA total of 121 infants were tested in three age group bins [3-5 months, n = 44; >5-7 months, n = 30 and >7-10 months, n = 47]. Overall, 3-5 months old had longer reaction time when compared to the older infants particularly for stimuli presented in the quadrants (Kruskal-Wallis, pConclusionThis study provides the normative gaze reaction time of healthy infants. With increase in age, there is reduction in reaction time and disappearance of reaction time asymmetry in quadrant stimuli. The longer reaction time for upward gaze could be due to delayed maturation of neural mechanisms and/or decreased visual attention.