[PhotoScreener for preschool children visual screening].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the PhotoScreener (PS) is useful as a method of screening in the prevention of amblyopia in children.


METHODS
227 preschool children were evaluated through the application of a questionnaire, refratometry measurements and photos using the PS. After this, all children were submitted to cycloplegic refraction, 30 minutes after one drop of cycloplegic agent. Refraction was performed by a mydriatic automatic refractor Shin Nippon. Children identified as suffering from eye problems were treated, according to the criteria: hyperopia greater than +1.50 D, myopia greater than -1.00 D and astigmatism greater than 1.00 D. Data were analyzed through Goodman test, descriptive statistics and study of the specificity and sensitivity of the use of PS, comparing its results with other ophthalmologic assessment methods.


RESULTS
There was a male predominance (54.6%), and the majority of children were four or five years old. PS sensitivity (S) compared to refraction under cycloplegia was 50.9%. The specificity (E) was 78.9%, positive predictive value (PPV) = 70%, negative predictive value (NPV) = 62.5% and accuracy (A) = 65.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
PS, when compared to cycloplegic refraction spherical equivalent, is a reasonable method of screening, although the low sensitivity. A positive point to be emphasized is the considerable specificity.
Lavezzo
Marcelo Mendes
MM
Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu da Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - Botucatu (SP) - Brasil. mmlavezzo@yahoo.com.br
Sousa
Roberta Lilian Fernandes de
RL
Kanamura
Mayumi Shirota
MS
Schellini
Silvana Artioli
SA
Padovani
Carlos Roberto
CR
D000550:Amblyopia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*