Early Detection of Refractive Errors by Photorefraction at School Age

Marta Alvarez (), Clara Benedi-Garcia (), Pablo Concepcion-Grande, Paulina Dotor, Amelia Gonzalez, Eva Chamorro and Jose Miguel Cleva
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Marta Alvarez: Indizen Optical Technologies S.L., 28002 Madrid, Spain
Clara Benedi-Garcia: Indizen Optical Technologies S.L., 28002 Madrid, Spain
Pablo Concepcion-Grande: Indizen Optical Technologies S.L., 28002 Madrid, Spain
Paulina Dotor: Indizen Optical Technologies S.L., 28002 Madrid, Spain
Amelia Gonzalez: Indizen Optical Technologies S.L., 28002 Madrid, Spain
Eva Chamorro: Indizen Optical Technologies S.L., 28002 Madrid, Spain
Jose Miguel Cleva: Indizen Optical Technologies S.L., 28002 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-8

Abstract: Early detection and treatment of refractive defects during school age are essential to avoid irreversible future vision loss and potential school problems. Previously, vision screening of preschool children used methods based on subjective visual acuity; however, technologies such as photorefraction have promoted the detection of refractive errors quickly and easily. In this study, 1347 children from 10 schools in Madrid aged 4 to 12 years participated in a program of early detection of visual problems, which consisted of visual screening composed of anamnesis and photorefraction with a PlusOptix A12R. The prevalence of refractive errors was analyzed in terms of spherical equivalent, cylinder and its orientation, and potential cases of development of high myopia or amblyopia. Hyperopia predominates in the early years, but the number of myopic subjects is higher than that of hyperopic subjects from the age of ten onwards. At all ages, the predominant orientation of astigmatism was with-the-rule. On average, 80% of the myopic subjects were uncorrected. Potential high myopia increased with age, from 4 to 21% of the measured population. Potential amblyopia cases decreased across age groups, from 19 to 13.7%. There is a need to raise awareness of the importance of vision screening at school age to address vision problems.

Keywords: amblyopia; myopia; high myopia; visual screening; refractive errors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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