The Moving Dynamic Random Dot Stereosize
Test: Development, Age Norms, and
Comparison With the Frisby, Randot,
and Stereo Smile Tests
Susan J Leat, BSc, PbD; Jessica St Pierre, OD; Saloumeb Hasan-Abadi, OD;
and Jocebn Faubert, PbD
Purpose: To determine the response of infants and
children to the Moving Dynamic Random Dot
Stereosize (MDRS) test and to collect cross-sec-
tional age-related data.
Methods: Sixty visually normal individuals were
divided into four age groups: 0.5-<2, 2-<5, 5-
<8, and 8420 years. Stereopsis was measured
with the MDRS test on two occasions, plus the
Frisby, Randot, or Stereo Smile tests, as was age
appropriate.
Results: All children aged >2 years and 80% of the
children between ages 6 months and 2 years were
able to perform the MDRS test on at least one
occasion. Sixty percent of the 6-month to 2-year-
old children were able to perform the Stereo Smile
test on both occasions. Performance on the MDRS
test improved with age up to 9 years. Improvement
on the Frisby and Randot tests was seen in children
aged up to 7 years. Mean and 95% confidence
interval ranges for each test are given.
Conclusion: This study gives evidence that aspects
of the visual system are not fully mature until age
7-9 years. The MDRS test is a visually demanding
but cognitively simple test that shows potential for
detecting visual anomalies in young children.
Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and
Strabismus 2001 ;38:284-294.
From the School of Optomety (Dr Leat), University of Waterloo,
Waterloo, Ontario; and the Ecole d'optometrie (Dr Faubert), Université de
Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
This study was supported by Kid Action Research formely Easter Seal
Research Institute) Grant Nos. 9 629 and 9733 and by the Canadian
Optometric Education Trust Fund.
This study was conducted at the School of Optometry,University of
Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
This material was presented at the annual meeting of the American
Academy of Optometry; December 10-14, 1998; San Francisco, Calif:
The authors thank all of the participants who took part and Ken
Robertson for comments on the text.
Originally submitted ]uly 27,2000.
Accepted for publication October 26 2000.
Reprint requests: Susan J. Leat, BSc, PhD, School of Optometry,
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
INTRODUCTION
The measurement of stereopsis is an important
component of an ocular assessment or a vision
screening procedure, It can assist in ruling out stra-
bismus, anisometropia, and amblyopia.' The
demonstration of typical stereopsis for age indicates
normal development of sensory and motor func-
tions.2 However, not all stereotests provide equally
valuable information. In general, random dot
stereograms that are believed to measure global
stereopsis are more valid than contour stereograms
that measure local stereopsis. Contour stereograms
284 SEPTEMBERIOCTOBER 2001No~ 38 No 5