An Evaluation of Vision Screening Protocols in Young Children
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2022
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Determining optimal criteria and methods of childhood vision screening (including screening age and methods, referral criteria) will aid identification of ocular conditions in young children. This ensures effective and timely intervention for ocular conditions that may permanently reduce vision unless treated at an early age. Existing datasets from population-based studies of eye health, the Sydney Childhood Eye Disease Studies, which examined 7266 children (6 months-17 years), were utilised for analysis. The Preschool Vision Screening Study additionally recruited 94 four year old children through the Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening Program. This thesis concluded that age four is the ideal age for vision screening of children as they are highly testable and yet still be able to be treated for conditions such as amblyopia. It was determined that 6/9 is an appropriate visual acuity referral threshold when using HOTV logMAR for testing preschool children. Visual acuity screening at school-age is likely to be of limited value. Eye-health education in adolescence may be useful for the detection of school-aged myopia. Challenges remain for the effective detection of hyperopia in vision screening programs with near vision testing not effective, with the use of cycloplegia still needed to fully reveal even high levels of hyperopia.
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