Long-term reliability and predictive validity of the teller acuity card procedure

The predictive characteristics of the Teller Acuity Card (TAC) procedure were examined in 129 children treated in a neonatal intensive care unit for preterm birth or perinatal complications. Monocular TAC grating acuity at 4, 8, 11, 17, 24, 30, and 36 months was compared with TAC grating acuity (reliability) and HOTV recognition acuity (predictive validity) at 48 months. Most reliability coefficients were significant, with r's ranging from 0.13 at 17 months to 0.59 at 36 months. Predictive validity measurements were of similar magnitude, with r's ranging from 0.22 at 4 months to 0.61 at 36 months. Normal TAC scores at earlier ages were predictive of normal TAC and HOTV acuity at 48 months in 73-95% of eyes. TAC scores below the normal range were less predictive, with 39-80% of eyes continuing to show below-normal acuity at 48 months.