Effect of background color on visual perception of text in children with ophthalmopathology

Abstract

Background: Functional and organic ophthalmopathology can cause reading diffi culties in children. Color diagnostics and color correction represent promising areas in the care of such patients. However, there are currently very few publications devoted to this topic. Purpose: The aim is to determine the most effective Methods for assessing the effect of color on visual acuity and reading speed in children with ophthalmopathology. Materials and methods: A total of 51 schoolchildren aged 10 to 16 years were observed, divided into: 1) 17 children the control group with high visual acuity; 2) 17 children with mild bilateral amblyopia; 3) 17 children with congenital partial atrophy of the optic nerve of both eyes (PAON). To study the effect of the color background on visual perception in all groups, we used: 1) the B.Bourdon test with paper of different colors; 2) assessment of visual acuity with a standard test and with colored overlays; 3) eading speed assessment on a white background and with colored overlays. Results: Indicators of the volume of attention according to the B. Bourdon test with a pink background were lower in the group of children with PAON compared with children with amblyopia (p = 0.012). Signifi cantly less attention with a blue background was observed in the group of children with PAON compared with the control group (p = 0.04). The use of individually selected color overlays allowed 64.7 % of children with amblyopia and 76.5 % of children with PAON to increase visual acuity for close range by 0.1–0.2, as well as increase reading speed by 17.6–19.2 % in amblyopes and by 31.1–31.2 % in children with PAON. Conclusion: The use of color overlays is the most effective and convenient method for assessing the impact of color on visual functions. The individual selection of color overlays in most children with amblyopia and PAON improves visual acuity for close range and increases reading speed.