Purpose:

• To study the effectiveness of Visual box for:
  • Stimulation of residual vision
  • Optimal use of residual vision
• To use Visual box as a special remediation measure to promote general development

Methodology: Thirty infants in the age group 0-12 months diagnosed with CNS pathology due to varying causes were studied. They were assessed for their visual skills along with evaluation of co-existing motor and sensory problems.

A visual box made of wood, of specified dimensions was used for the study. It consisted of visual toys, textured mattress, visually alerting background like checkered pattern, radium coated surface, flashing coloured bulbs, provision to provide auditory stimulus whenever essential, a bar to hang mobile toys etc.

The visual box was administered by the therapist during therapy sessions and whenever possible as a home program.

Results:

• Improvement was seen in areas like visual awareness and exploration of environment using the visual system.
• Children showed consistent progress in:
  • Visual awareness
  • Visual attention
  • Fixation
  • Tracking and scanning
  • Visual discrimination
  • Spatial relationship

Discussion and Conclusion:

• Visual box can be used to stimulate visual and perceptual skills in infants when it is still too early to evaluate complex visual function.
• It is easy to administer and to follow as a home program.
• It provides a variety of sensory stimulation by merely changing the contents of the box.
• Definite and consistent progress can be attained in the visual function of the child.

Childhood Disability Update 2005 - Conference Abstracts. Pediatric Oncall [serial online] 2006 [cited 15 January 2006(Supplement 1)];3. Available from:
http://www.pediatriconcall.com/fordoctor/Conference_abstracts/
visual_Rehabilitation.asp