[Equilibriometric findings in partially blind and blind children (author's transl)].

26 of both blind or partially blind children were subjected to equilibriometric tests. By way of a vestibular-ocular test they were given the Rotatory-Intensity-Damping test. During the tests the per and postrotatory nystagmus reactions were electronystagmographicly registrated. For the vestibular-spinal tests the Unterberger's stepping test with photographic registration of the body-sway in the Cranio-Corpo-Gram was used. In most of the children you could identify a definite per and postrotatory reaction in spite of considerable spontaneous reactions. The strong eyelid movements of these patients, the intensive spontaneous deviations and diminished corneo-retinal potential made precise judgement of the electronystagmogram difficult. Comparison between the blind and partially blind children enabled the differences to be objectified. Blind-born children have a higher spontaneous activity, slightly diminished per and postrotatory nystagmus reactions and a diminished bodyequilibrium. These results can be explained on one side by habituation and on the other side by efferent structures, which have an inhibitory effect on the vestibular input.