The use of chloral hydrate as a sedative to enable electrodiagnostic testing of hyperkinetic children is discussed, and procedures for the administration of chloral hydrate are described. Case examples are presented to illustrate that assessment during the sleep-induced state enables further counseling regarding spasmus nutans, optic nerve hyoplasia, and Leber's congenital amaurosis. Management based on comparative electroretinogram and visual-evoked-response recordings is emphasized.
A low vision rehabilitation program with a structured curriculum was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. The treatment group demonstrated large improvements in self-reported visual function (reading, mobility, visual information processing, visual motor skills, and overall). The team approach and the protocols of the treatment program are described.