A model of paediatric eye screening program for educators

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Presentation of a paediatric eye screening program which is based on the educators’ performance Methods: 4400 children(n1=2200 3‐3 ½ y.o., n2=2200 4‐6 y.o.),10 ophthalmologists and 20 teachers participated in this study.Children were tested for visual acuity(Va),using the NK test and manifest horizontal strabismus,using the Hirschberg test.Criteria for further evaluation:n1: Va<0.55 and/or manifest strabismus& in n2:Va<0.75and/or manifest strabismus Results: In n1=2200, doctors found:105 children(4.77%) appeared with Va<0.55, 1938 children(88.1%)with Va=0.55 and 157 children(7.13%)with Va>0.55. In n1 teachers found:191 children(8.68%) appeared with Va<0.55,1799 children(81.78%)with Va=0.55 and 210 children(9.54%)with Va >0.55. In (n1) doctors found:2111children(95.95%)were orthophoric,62 children(2.81%)were esotropic and 27 children(1,23%) were exotropic. Teachers found:2051 children(93.22%)were orthophoric, 106 children(4.81%) were esotropic and 43 children(1.97%)were exotropic.In n2=2200,doctors found:164 children(7.45%) appeared with Va<0.75,1695 children(77.05 %)with Va=0.75 and 341 children(15.5%)with Va>0.75. In n2, teachers found:160 children(7.27%)with Va<0.75,1639 children(74.50 %)with Va=0.75 and 401 children(18.22 %)with Va>0.75. In the same sample(n2), doctors found:2121 children(96.40%)were orthophoric, 62children(2.81%)were esotropic and 17 children(0.79%)were exotorpic.Teachers found:2041 children(92.77%)were orthophoric,64 children(2.90%)were esotropic and 95 children(4.32 %)were exotropic Conclusions: In a screening eye program false positive referrals are more welcome than false negative,especially in a very cost effective program as this one is. We recommend this model in countries where no paramedics as screeners exist