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

The most common way to record visual acuity in infants and preverbal children is through the use of a chart that utilizes symbols or shapes that are easier for young children to recognize. The CSM (Childhood Visual Acuity Test) is specifically designed for this purpose.

Infants and preverbal children cannot reliably identify letters or numbers, which makes tools like the Snellen chart or LogMAR chart unsuitable, as they depend on letter recognition. The Tumbling E chart, while also effective, is not as widely used as the CSM for very young patients. The CSM typically employs simple shapes or pictures that children can more easily understand and express recognition of, making it an appropriate choice for assessing visual acuity in this demographic.