[Quality of vision screening in childhood].
BACKGROUND
In Germany the paediatricians use three different visual acuity tests (Pictures, Rodenstock-Test, H-Test). We investigated the effectiveness of these procedures.


METHODS
In this study 303 children were referred by paediatricians to the study group in the Cologne Augenklinik. They were fully examined by an orthoptist and an ophthalmologist (gold standard).


RESULTS
From these data the sensitivity and specificity of the tests used by the paediatricians were calculated. Only the H-Test proved to be satisfactory.


CONCLUSIONS
The actual situation of screening for amblyopia by paediatricians in children aged 3 1/2 to 4 is unsatisfactory in Germany. Paediatricians and ophthalmologists should use a similar test for visual acuity. Continuing education of medical personnel is desirable to ensure an adequate quality of screening.
Hohmann
A
A
Schielbehandlung und Neuroophthalmologie, Universität zu Köln.
Rüssmann
W
W
Kaszli
F A
FA
D000550:Amblyopia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015351:Vision Screening; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity