Functional vision head impulse testing (fvHIT) in children: Feasibility and normative values

Objectives Current pediatric vestibular care mainly focuses on motor development and postural control whereas the consequences of impaired gaze stabilization are less frequently addressed. The Functional Vision Head Impulse Test (fvHIT) offers a method to assess functional gaze stabilization during rapid head movements. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of the fvHIT in children and establish normative values. Methods Ninety-four healthy children (4–12 years) underwent fvHIT testing. Feasibility, the percentage of correctly identified optotypes in total scores and per acceleration band were recorded. Statistical analyses assessed side and age differences. Results Feasibility increased with age and from the age of six onward, all children (100%) completed the test reliably. No significant side differences were observed in fvHIT scores. Four- and five-year-olds scored significantly lower than older groups. Normative values centered around 90%, increased with age, and showed a slight decline at higher accelerations. Conclusion The fvHIT is a feasible method for assessing functional gaze stabilization in children. The normative values obtained in this study provide a reference for future research and can support clinical practice in evaluating performance in children who are prone to gaze stabilization difficulties.