[Refractive errors, strabismus and amblyopia in pre-school screening--experiences using a vision test in...

Within the framework of mass screenings conducted by the Public Health service section for juveniles, 254 children were examined jointly on a voluntary basis in 5 different kindergartens. The examined children represented in each case 88% of the respective kindergarten groups. The examination programme included, among others, the R5 apparatus (visual acuity in respect of remote objects with and without + 1.5 D), Lang- and DeKa Stereo Test, Cover-and-Uncover Test with remote and near fixation, heterostatic retinoscopy (in 205 children only), ophthalmoscopic fixation test. In addition, the acceptance for U8 and the degree of care in respect of ophthalmological control and treatment were investigated.

Strabismus or significant uncorrected errors of refraction were discovered by the on-target tests of covering and uncovering, fixation and retinoscopy in 26 of 205 completely examined children (12.7%). This had not been satisfactorily covered by single tests such as R5-Visus test with the criteria much less than 1.0 (grade 5) or much less than 0.7 (grade 4), respectively stereo tests. The combination of "R5-Test Visus much less than 1.0" and "DeKa Stereo Test not fully identified" attained a sensitivity of 81% with a positive predictive value of only 28%. This combination, therefore, results in too many healthy children being referred to the ophthalmologist. "R5-Test Visus much less than 0.7" and "DeKa Stereo Test not fully identified" attained a sensitivity of 75% with a positive predictive value of 44%. This combination is recommended as long as the R5 or R11 apparatuses are used. The phoria and stereo tests contained in the R5 apparatus are unsuitable for kindergarten screening.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)