Evaluation of photoscreener instruments in a childhood population. 1. Otago photoscreener and Dortmans videophotorefractor.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate two photoscreeners in a childhood population.


METHODS
Double-masked study.


METHODS
One hundred and thirteen children aged between 11 and 44 months with either normal vision or known visual disorders were photoscreened without cycloplegia by the Otago and Dortmans (prototype) photoscreeners. Each child had a full ophthalmological examination either on the day of screening or in the proceeding six months. Photoscreen images were reviewed by an independent observer for indicators of amblyopiogenic risk factors, and compared to the full ophthalmological examination to determine sensitivity and specificity for each instrument.


RESULTS
The Otago photoscreener returned a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 82% for the detection of amblyopiogenic risk factors. The Dortmans photoscreener returned a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 90%. Both photoscreeners were portable and easily operated.


CONCLUSIONS
Children can be screened successfully for amblyopiogenic risk factors with these photoscreening systems. Further evaluation is required to determine specificity in a normal population. This would also provide information on the potential usefulness of photoscreeners in a cost effective childhood vision screening program.
Cooper
C D
CD
Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane.
Bowling
F G
FG
Hall
J E
JE
Colville
D J
DJ
Dortmans
R J
RJ
Munch
J
J
Gole
G A
GA
D000550:Amblyopia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000295:instrumentation*