The use of the plusoptiX photoscreener for vision screening

Abstract

Aim: Auto-refractors have evolved into tools that can be used for vision screening by detecting uncorrected refractive errors and eye misalignment in less than a second. By comparing the measured levels of refractive error to pre-set criteria and assessing ocular alignment, the device will advise a ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ result for each child screened. The aim of this review is to determine if the plusoptiX photoscreener provides a viable alternative to traditional screening methods. Methods: A literature search of databases was performed, focusing on publications from the last 5 years. Results: The ability of the device to detect the presence of a referral factor (sensitivity) ranges from 47% to 99%. The ability of the device to correctly identify that referral factor (specificity) ranges from 49% to 100%. Low sensitivity resulted in up to a 6.3% rate of under-referral by the device (false negative) with low specificity resulting in 35% of those screened being referred unnecessarily (false positives). These ranges can be changed by adjusting the referral criteria within the device, with the level of hypermetropia detected the greatest cause of under- or over-referral. Conclusion: By setting the appropriate criteria for referral within the device, a reasonable level of sensitivity and specificity have been demonstrated. The device could provide a useful tool for screening, offering a good level of accuracy for the detection of amblyogenic risk factors in children.

Keywords

• Photoscreening
• PlusoptiX
• Vision screening