Comparison of the Plusoptix A09 and Retinomax K-Plus 3 with retinoscopy in children

To compare refractive measurements between the Plusoptix A09 (Plusoptix GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany), Retinomax K-Plus 3 (Right Med, Virginia Beach, VA), and retinoscopy in pediatric patients.

Two hundred eyes of 200 patients (94 female, 106 male) were included in this cross-sectional study. Non-cycloplegic refraction was measured via the Plusoptix A09 and cycloplegic refraction was measured via the Retinomax K-Plus 3 and retinoscopy. Each device was evaluated for repeatability. The average measurements from all devices were compared.

The mean age of the patients was 6.2 ± 2.8 years (range: 4 to 12 years). The mean non-cycloplegic refraction via Plusoptix A09 was 0.74 ± 1.85 diopters (D) spherical and -0.79 ± 0.78 D cylindrical. The mean cycloplegic refraction via the Retinomax K-Plus 3 was 0.13 ± 1.92 D spherical and -0.74 ± 0.69 D cylindrical. The mean cyloplegic retinoscopy measurement was 0.71 ± 1.81 D spherical and -0.70 ± 0.76 D cylindrical. There was no significant difference between measurements (P = .07).

The Plusoptix A09 and Retinomax K-Plus 3 agree well with cycloplegic retinoscopy. Both devices may be used for screening children between 4 and 12 years old. The Plusoptix A09 may eliminate the need for cycloplegia for the detection of refractive errors in children.