Hyperopia in schoolchildren: Investigating the impact on vision and determining appropriate methods for screening

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Optometry
• Public Health

Background:

• Hyperopia in schoolchildren is linked to poor vision and reduced educational attainment.
• Clinically significant hyperopia (≥+2.00 D) affects visual function and learning.
• Early detection of hyperopia is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of clinically significant hyperopia on visual function in schoolchildren.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of various vision screening tests, individually and in combination, for detecting hyperopia (≥+2.00 D).

Main Methods:

• Vision testing included logMAR distance visual acuity (DVA), near visual acuity (NVA), DVA through a plus lens (+2.50 D), and stereoacuity.
• Cycloplegic autorefraction was performed on 263 schoolchildren in Queensland, Australia.
• Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis assessed the diagnostic accuracy of screening tests.

Main Results:

• Children with clinically significant hyperopia (n=32) showed worse DVA and NVA compared to those with emmetropia/low hyperopia (n=225).
• The difference in DVA through a plus lens was less pronounced in hyperopic children (p < 0.01).
• Combining DVA, NVA, and the difference in DVA through a plus lens achieved 72% sensitivity and 81% specificity for hyperopia detection.

Conclusions:

• Significant visual function differences exist between hyperopic and non-hyperopic schoolchildren.
• A combination of DVA, NVA, and DVA through a plus lens screening tests demonstrates good diagnostic ability for clinically significant hyperopia in children.