Screening Methods for the Detection of Preclinical Vision Loss in Children in the Community: Technology at Work

Abstract

Introduction

There are four vision screening devices that are currently being used to screen children in the United States.

Results

The MTI PS-100 Photoscreener™ (Medical Technology and Innovations Inc., Rivera Beach, Fla.) is an off-axis instant film photoscreener. It has been the instrument used by the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) to provide free vision screening to approximately 400,000 children in 16 states.

The Visiscreen™ OSS-C (Vision Research Corp., Birmingham, Ala.) is an off-axis photorefractor, that uses 35 mm film. The Visiscreen™ OSS-C has been used extensively in mass screenings of over 2,000,000 children in eight states.

The iScreen system (iScreen LLC, Memphis, Tenn.) is a digital off-axis photoscreener. Pediatricians and general practitioners are the primary users, screening approximately 130,000 children in twelve states.

The Welsh Allyn® SureSight™ Vision Screener is a hand-held autorefractor that is used by pediatricians, general practitioners, and public health organizations.

Conclusion

As states continue to mandate vision screening, the desire to find the most effective screening device will continue to fuel changes in vision screening technology.

• vision screening
• photoscreening
• amblyopia