Abstract
Purpose :
Anisometropia is a significant cause of amblyopia, and may be difficult to detect in the absence of strabismus. We sought to determine the accuracy of the red reflex test in the detection of anisometropia.
Methods :
Prospective, single-masked study which included new patients under the age of 18 who had not undergone pharmacologic pupillary dilation. A fellow who was masked to all clinical information illuminated both eyes with a direct ophthalmoscope in a darkened room from a distance of one meter, assessing whether the red reflex between the two eyes was symmetric or asymmetric. The patient was then cyclopleged and refraction was performed by an attending pediatric ophthalmologist. Exclusion criteria included the presence of strabismus, anisocoria, prior intraocular surgery, media opacity, leukocoria, and nystagmus. Sensitivity was compared to a null hypothesized value of 50% using a one-sided binomial test.
Results :
Ninety-two patients with a mean age of 7.3 years (range 3 months - 16 years) were enrolled in the study. Anisometropia greater than 1.5 diopters in spherical equivalent (4 patients, range -10.625 to -2.625) or cylinder (3 patients, range 1.75 to 2.25) was accurately detected by red reflex testing in each case.
Conclusions :
The red reflex test can be an accurate screening tool to detect anisometropia when performed by an ophthalmologist and pediatrician as well.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.