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Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the accuracy of autorefraction in a pediatric population.
Methods:
Prospectively, 178 eyes (ages 2–16) underwent noncycloplegic (naked) and cycloplegic autorefraction (Nidek 1600), and cycloplegic retinoscopy (1% cyclopentolate). Compared to retinoscopy, autorefraction was considered accurate if within 0.5 diopters of sphere, 0.5 diopters of cylinder and 15 degrees of axis. When possible, a manifest refraction helped confirm retinoscopy.
Results:
Naked autorefraction was accurate for sphere, cylinder and axis in 14.0%, 69.6% and 51.1% respectively. After cycloplegia, accuracy improved to 56.2%, 80.3%, and 51.1%. Naked spherical determination was most inaccurate in the youngest age groups (less than 8 years old). Cylinder and axis accuracy were age independent. Accuracy in patients with strabismus or amblyopia did not differ significantly from the general pediatric population.
Conclusions:
Noncyloplegic (naked) autorefraction is relatively inaccurate compared to retinoscopy. Cycloplegic autorefraction is more reliable, and may serve as a useful adjunct to retinoscopy, especially when determining the astigmatism.