Plusoptix verses the wall chart!
Overview
Photo screening devices like the Plusoptix
Vision Screener objectively measure
refractive errors and alignment between
the eyes, which helps assess for six risk
factors of amblyopia without much cooperation from the patient. The Plusoptix Vision Screener examines both eyes at once and takes only a few seconds to perform the screening.
Visual acuity subjectively measures how well a child can see using a wall chart. The child needs to cooperate to look at the correct line and verbally relay what they see. Visual acuity testing can detect refractive errors, but does not detect eye misalignment and may miss differences between eyes. Visual acuity screening can also detect non-refractive vision problems that may be caused by problems with the retina, eye structure or neurological connection between the eye and the brain.
Introduction
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American
Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS)
recommend the use of photo screening instruments in young
children before they can successfully complete a chart-based visual
acuity test. Once children can successfully perform a visual acuity
test, usually around age 5, the policy recommends subjectively
testing visual acuity with a chart-based screener. Policy statements
have not endorsed the use of photo screeners in children older than
age 5, largely because photo screener performance has not been
thoroughly studied in this age group.
Study Objective: Is instrument-based screening a reliable and
accurate solution for detecting vision problems in children?
Does instrument-based vision screening provide time savings for schools and pediatricians?
A study performed by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth
University demonstrated the effectiveness of photo screening in
school-age children. The study included 1,593 third-grade children
across 16 elementary schools in a single county in Virginia. Students
received both instrument-based screening and traditional visual
acuity screening tests.
Children referred through either method were provided with a
comprehensive eye exam with cycloplegic refraction to assess the
accuracy of the referral. Time to screen was also measured for both
instrument-based screening and visual acuity measurement
Validation of Instrument-Based Screening Benefits for Children
Evan Silverstein, MD; Elaine R. McElhinny, MD
Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Study Outcomes:
Children Referred for Comprehensive Eye Exam:
A total of 516 (32.4%) of students were referred for a comprehensive eye exam based on either method.
Note: The percentage shows the accuracy of each testing method.
Referral from both screening methods was a strong
predictor of children needing a vision intervention, with
94% of those referred requiring glasses or a more in-depth
follow up examination.
Additionally, 78% of the students referred by instrument-
based vision screening alone required an intervention,
compared to only 50% referred by visual acuity testing alone.
Time Savings with Instrument-Based Screening by Child (Average):
Instrument-based screening took on average 30 seconds to screen each child compared with visual acuity testing, which took on average 120 seconds to screen each child.
Conclusion
• Combining instrument-based screening with traditional visual acuity screening helps identify more children
in need of visual intervention.
• Instrument-based screening is time efficient and can be performed in ¼ the time of visual acuity screening.
• Using instrument-based screening alone correctly identified more students in need of a comprehensive eye
exam than using visual acuity screening alone.
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The Facts
80% of what a child learns is visually acquired.
Visual impairment affects 5-10% of preschool aged children
Vision problems can lead to loss of sight, learning difficulties & delayed development.
Less than 21% of preschool-aged children have their vision screened.
Vision problems can lead to loss of sight, learning difficulties & delayed development.
Undetected vision problems affect physical ability and self-esteem.
Imagine how you would feel. Your just starting school and already you feel confused and alone because you just don’t see what other seem to see and understand.
When vision problems go undetected or misdiagnosed, children are often diagnosed with ADHD or a learning or behavioral problem that can affect the child for life.
Let’s protect our little ones.