title: Instant photographic refractometry in children.
abstract: A simple photographic method for detection and measurement of refractive errors in children, using a specially designed camera and electronic flash unit and 'instant' (Polaroid) film, was tested on 64 children, aged 3 to 8 years, and compared with the results from retinoscopy. The refractive errors ranged from -6.5 to +6.5 D. A light reflex in the pupil was observed on the photos of all children with hyperopia greater than = 0.5 and myopia greater than = 2.0 D. A curvilinear relationship was observed (in the range -2 to -4 and +0.5 to +3 D) between the width of the light reflex in the pupil, easily measured on the photos and the degree of refractive error, determined by retinoscopy. The degree of ametropia could be estimated with reasonable accuracy (+/- 0.5 D) in the interval from -2 to -4 D and +0.5 to +3 D. The method can demonstrate the type and, to a limited extent, also the degree of refraction anomaly and may be of value in screening for refractive errors in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Sabbatsbergs Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wanger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Waern
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013548:Sweden