The functional state of the visual analyzer and characterological features of children at a primary school age with orthophoria and heterotropia

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the functional state of the visual analyzer and characterological features of children at a primary school age with orthophoria and heterotropia.Materials and methods. Eighty-four children (168 eyes) aged 6-11 years were examined. Two groups comparable in age and gender were formed. Group 1 included 35 children (70 eyes) with orthophoria with moderate degree hyperopia Hm 4.1 [1.0; 8.75] Dptr; Group 2 consisted of children with concomitant convergent strabismus with a moderate degree hyperopia Hm 4.3 [0.75; 9.75] Dptr - 49 patients (98 eyes). To study the properties of the nervous system (NS) hardwaresoftware complex “NS-Psychotest” (Neurosoft LLC, Ivanovo, Russia, http://neurosoft. com/ru) was used. Neurodynamic indices of sensorimotor reaction were determined according to the methods “Simple visual-motor reaction” (PMR), “Distinguishing reaction” (DR), “Choice reaction” (PC), “Reaction to a moving object” (RMA), “Critical flicker fusion frequency” (CFF), Lusher’s color test.Results. Concomitant strabismus in group 2 children significantly increased “Simple visual-motor reaction” (SVMR), “Discrimination reaction” (RR) and “Choice reaction” (RС) by 43 ms, 80.8 and 57.8 ms, respectively (p<0.05), compared to the group of children with orthophoria, indicating reduced mobility of nervous processes and predominance of inhibitory processes in the central nervous system (CNS).Conclusion. It follows from the results obtained that the presence of heterotrophy in group 2 children reliably leads to a decrease in the mobility of nervous processes and the predominance of inhibitory processes in the CNS. The combination of low reaction rate and expressed inertness of nervous processes in children of the 2nd group indicates a mismatch in the relationship between the centers of the visual and motor analyzers.