Screening for refractive errors at age 1 year: a pilot study. Issue 4 (April 1979)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ingram, R M; Traynar, M J; Walker, C; Wilson, J M
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 63:Issue 4(1979)
• Page Start: 243
• Page End: 250
• Publication Date: 1979-04
• Subjects: Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.63.4.243
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : Cycloplegic refraction of 1-year-old children is technically possible and is acceptable to mothers as a method for screening children for visual defects. The range of refractions found in a sample of 186 1-year-old children is reported. Prediction of which children are significantly at risk for squint and/or amblyopia is possible on the basis of refractions at age 1 year according to the criteria selected for an 'abnormal' refraction. Bilateral hypermetropia and/or astigmatism or anisometropia at age 1 year was significantly (P less than 1 in 10 000) associated with a child eventually being found to have squint or amblyopia. Both the age of screening and criteria of abnormality will probably need modification. +2.50 or more D hypermetropia in any one meridian of either eye at age 1 year was even more significantly (P = 0.000 000 05%) associated with squint and/or amblyopia. The possibility that meridional hypermetropia could be the basic defect in squint and amblyopia is discussed.