Comparison of refraction obtained by "near retinoscopy" and retinoscopy under cycloplegia

This study compared refractive error obtained by the "near retinoscopy" method as described by Mohindra and static retinoscopy under cycloplegic conditions. Twenty-two patients between the age of 3.6 and 10.0 years were objectively refracted. The examiner performed a near retinoscopy on each patient. Immediately after this procedure, 2 drops of 1% Cyclogyl (cyclopentolate) were administered to each eye, 5 min apart. Cycloplegic retinoscopy was performed 35 to 40 min after the 2nd drop was administered. In order to reduce examiner bias, the specific powers of the neutralizing lenses were unknown to the examiner throughout the entire procedure. On average, retinoscopy under cycloplegic conditions revealed +0.50 to +0.75 D more plus than near retinoscopy. Although the Student's t-test indicated the values were significantly different on an absolute basis, a Pearson's r of +0.85 was found when all meridians were compared. In addition, if a "cut" factor is introduced to adjust for normal accommodative tonus eliminated under cycloplegic conditions, the two procedures produce essentially the same results.