For a 3-year-old with left spastic CP with suspected visual deficits, which professional should be referred first to assess visual acuity?

For a 3-year-old with left spastic CP with suspected visual deficits, which professional should be referred first to assess visual acuity?

• A. Optometrist
• B. Optician
• C. Ophthalmologist
• D. Neurologist

Answer: (A)

Testing visual acuity in a 3-year-old with suspected visual deficits is best started with a pediatric optometrist. Optometrists specialize in functional vision testing for children, using age-appropriate methods to measure how well the child sees at various distances and to identify refractive errors that often underlie reduced acuity. They can perform refraction to determine if glasses are needed and assess eye alignment and coordination, which are common concerns in CP. If a problem is found, they can prescribe corrective lenses and coordinate further care with ophthalmology for any medical or surgical needs. A neurologist focuses on brain and nervous system issues and is not the first professional to assess the eye’s visual function, and an optician does not evaluate acuity or diagnose eye health.

Testing visual acuity in a 3-year-old with suspected visual deficits is best started with a pediatric optometrist. Optometrists specialize in functional vision testing for children, using age-appropriate methods to measure how well the child sees at various distances and to identify refractive errors that often underlie reduced acuity. They can perform refraction to determine if glasses are needed and assess eye alignment and coordination, which are common concerns in CP. If a problem is found, they can prescribe corrective lenses and coordinate further care with ophthalmology for any medical or surgical needs. A neurologist focuses on brain and nervous system issues and is not the first professional to assess the eye’s visual function, and an optician does not evaluate acuity or diagnose eye health.