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Early Childhood Vision Screening in Hawai'i Utilizing a Hand-Held Screener
Duane A Chang1, Roger C Ede1, Dominic C Chow1
1Vision Care Centers of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI (DAC, RCE).
Insights
Hand-held photoscreeners show promise for early childhood vision screening in Hawaii, detecting potential vision problems in preschoolers. Further research is needed to optimize referral criteria and ensure follow-up for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Early detection of vision disorders in children is crucial for preventing long-term visual impairment.
- Instrument-based vision screening devices can be used in children from 6 months of age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of using hand-held photoscreeners for vision screening in preschool children in Hawaii.
- To identify potential vision abnormalities and evaluate the effectiveness of early detection strategies.
Main Methods:
- A total of 137 preschool children were screened using the Plusoptix S12 hand-held photoscreener at 6 different locations.
- Screening procedures were evaluated for speed, tolerance, and technical feasibility.
Main Results:
- After resolving technical issues, the photoscreening process was found to be fast and well-tolerated.
- Possible vision abnormalities were detected in 8% (11 out of 137) of the children screened.
- Poor compliance with follow-up examinations limited the confirmation of detected abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Hand-held photoscreening holds potential for facilitating early childhood vision screening in Hawaii.
- Establishing optimal referral criteria, considering local demographics and resources, is essential.
- A comprehensive screening program integrating referral could provide significant public health benefits for children's visual development and well-being.
Abstract:
The goal of early childhood vision screening is to detect subnormal vision and amblyopic risk factors that threaten visual development so that treatment can be initiated early to yield the highest benefit. Hand-held, portable, instrument-based vision screening devices can be used in children as young as 6 months of age. We assessed the feasibility of hand-held photoscreeners to screen for vision disorders in pre-school children in Hawai'i. A total of 137 preschool children on O'ahu in the "Tutu and Me"/Partners in Development program were screened at 6 different locations using the Plusoptix S12 hand-held photoscreener. Once technical issues were resolved, screening was fast and well tolerated. Possible vision abnormalities were found in 11 of the 137 children (8%). Poor compliance for follow-up with formal vision examination limited our ability to confirm these abnormalities. We conclude that photoscreening has the potential to facilitate early childhood vision screening in Hawai'i. The optimal referral criteria for use in Hawai'i will need to be determined after considering the age of the screening population and the available medical resources in Hawai'i. Early detection of treatable eye disorders has far-reaching benefits for the visual development and long term health and well-being of children. A comprehensive early childhood vision screening program in Hawai'i utilizing automated hand-held photoscreeners may have public health value. Such a program should integrate referral to an eye care professional for confirmation and management of vision disorders of at-risk children found on screening.
