II. General

  1. Child fixates on an object and follows movement
  2. Eye movement out of alignment may be normal prior to 2 to 4 months of age

III. Indication

  1. Test for Amblyopia
  2. Nonverbal or Preverbal children (reliable after 3 months of age)
    1. Infants can fixate on a face as early as 6 weeks of age
    2. Infants can fix and follow an object as early as 8 weeks of age

IV. Technique

  1. Child sitting in parent's lap
  2. Interesting object presented at arms length
    1. Young Infants: examiner's face or penlight
    2. Older infants to toddlers: toys or bright colors
  3. Move object through child's fields of gaze
    1. Repeat procedure with one eye covered
  4. Avoid frightening child when covering eye
    1. Use thumb or parent's hand

V. Interpretation: Amblyopia present

  1. Child consistently cries when good eye covered
  2. Does not protest when amblyopic eye is covered
  3. Child may tilt head to compensate for Amblyopia

VI. Indication: Referral

  1. Abnormal fixation and following by 3 months
  2. Signs of Amblyopia or strabsimus

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