Simple retinoscopic screening

A simplified retinoscopic technique to screen for refractive errors in children is presented. The technique described was assessed in 98 children and the results correlated with full retinoscopic refractions. All tests were done with cycloplegia. Orthoptists' results using the simple retinoscopy compared well with the full retinoscopic findings of the ophthalmologists, with an overall sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 74%. These results compare favourably with more technical refractive screening methods. This technique may be suitable as an adjunct to vision screening in pre-school children.