Amblyopia detection by camera: Gateway to portable, inexpensive vision screening (calibration and validation of inexpensive, pocket-sized photoscreeners).
BACKGROUND
Photoscreening can allow early detection of amblyopia. The Gateway DV-S20, and similar models of miniature, digital flash cameras, have similar optical dimensions to existing photoscreeners for less than $200.


METHODS
These cameras were calibrated on known, threshold amblyogenic refractive errors induced by placing minus and toric contact lenses on a normal subject's left eye. The DV-S20 was then applied to known amblyopic patients. Students under age 7 were vision screened with patched acuity and sequential photoscreeners (MTI and Gateway).


RESULTS
The digital cameras and the MTI photoscreeners produced similar magnitude interpretable crescents for amblyopiagenic refractive errors. They had very similar validation with sensitivities of 80-90% and specificities of 98% for serious eye disorders in known patients and school-aged children.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined with careful interpretation, pocket-sized, digital flash cameras provide a portable and inexpensive digital alternative for pediatric photoscreening. A category 3 CPT code (0065T) can be used for this valid, public health technique: Amblyopia Detection By Camera (ADBC).
Arnold
Robert W
RW
The Alaska Blind Child Discovery Coordinating Center, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Ophthalmic Associates, 542 West Second Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-2242, USA.
Arnold
Andrew W
AW
Stark
Lee
L
Arnold
Koni K
KK
Leman
Rachel
R
Armitage
M Diane
MD
D000413:Alaska; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002138:Calibration; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003261:Contact Lenses; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000175:diagnosis; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods