What is the most common way to record visual acuity in infants and preverbal children?

Recording visual acuity in infants and preverbal children often requires methods tailored to their developmental stage and communication abilities. The Circle Size Method (CSM) is designed specifically for this purpose. It utilizes a series of circles of various sizes, allowing the clinician to assess visual acuity by determining the smallest circle the child can reliably identify.

Infants and young children may not understand or be able to respond to the letters on a Snellen chart, which is more suitable for older children and adults who can recognize and name letters. LogMAR charts, while useful for standardized measurement of visual acuity in general, also rely on letter recognition and would not be practical for those who cannot read. A hand-held chart might be more feasible than the Snellen or LogMAR, but it still requires some level of attention and understanding that preverbal children might not possess.

The Circle Size Method effectively accommodates the visual acuity assessment for this specific age group, making it the most common and appropriate choice.