Abstract
Purpose: :
We report the preliminary data of a vision screening program using the SPOT photoscreener in the pediatric population.
Methods: :
Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Low income, predominantly Hispanic children in daycare and preschool settings were screened by laypersons using the SPOT photoscreener (Pediavision Lake Mary, Florida). Inclusion criteria were age 6 months - 6 years and availability of a complete photoscreen record. Referral criteria adhered to published guidelines by the Vision Screening Committee of AAPOS. Data was analyzed for percentage of children referred for hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism, anisometropia, anisocoria and ocular misalignment and stratified by age group.
Results: :
Vision screening examinations were performed on 3000 subjects during 3 months (9/6/2011 - 11/17/2011) following release of the SPOT photoscreener by Pediavision. Of 2903 subjects (1427 females and 1785 males) with complete records, the SPOT device referred 1034 (35.6%). The reason for referral was astigmatism in 767 (26.4%), ocular misalignment in 294 (10.1%), anisometropia in 51 (1.8%), myopia in 50 (1.7%), hyperopia in 28 (1%) and anisocoria in 6 (0.2%). Of 2197 subjects aged 37 months - 76 months, 162 (7.4%) were referred for ocular misalignment, and of 706 subjects aged 7 months - 36 months, 132 (18.7%) were referred for ocular misalignment.
Conclusions: :
We found a higher referral rate for a complete eye examination (35.6%) compared to other vision screening programs. While a high prevalence of astigmatism may be expected in this population, the referral rate for misalignment (10.1%) was unexpected.
Keywords: screening for ambylopia and strabismus • strabismus: diagnosis and detection