Preschool vision screening in a Swedish city region: results after alteration of criteria for referral to eye clinics.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the results of preschool vision screening and to evaluate new referral criteria in a Swedish city region. Prior to 1992, all children with visual acuity (VA) of less than 0.8 at the age of 4 years were referred to an eye clinic. Since 1992, those with slightly reduced VA (0.65 in each eye or 0.65 in one eye and 0.8 in the other) have been retested at 5.5 years of age and referred if their VA is less than 0.8.


METHODS
In a prospective study, the results of vision testing were collected for all children (n = 483) born in 1989-92 inclusive and registered at one child health centre at 4 years of age. The study also involved 123 other children scheduled for retesting at the age of 5.5 years. The results of the examinations and treatments at the eye clinic are evaluated.


RESULTS
Few of the children with slightly reduced VA who were retested at the age of 5.5 years had visual defects that required treatment. In those who were treated, the results of treatment were good.


CONCLUSIONS
The new screening criteria appear to be appropriate and are recommended.
Hård
Anna-Lena
AL
Department of Opthalmology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenurg University, Sweden. annalena.hard@oft.gu.se
Sjödell
Lena
L
Borres
Magnus P
MP
Zetterberg
Ingrid
I
Sjöstrand
Johan
J
D000550:Amblyopia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D013548:Sweden; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000592:standards*; D014792:Visual Acuity