Comparison of the pediatric vision screening program in 18 countries across five continents

Critical appraisal of Australian and New Zealand paediatric vision screening clinical practice guidelines using the AGREE II tool

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Vision disorders in children impact health-related quality of life, with early detection and intervention improving outcomes and educational performance. Eye health professionals should be aware of paediatric vision screening guidelines and their development to understand the components of local programmes and the differences in sensitivity and specificity between protocols.

BACKGROUND

High-quality clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for vision screening enable the early detection of common vision disorders; however, they require rigorous development to ensure optimal accuracy in detecting vision disorders, enabling timely interventions. This study evaluated the quality of available vision screening CPGs on vision screening of children in Australia and New Zealand.

METHODS

A systematic search of academic databases, guideline databases, professional associations and Google search engines was conducted to identify relevant paediatric vision screening CPGs. Four independent reviewers used the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument to assess the quality of individual guidelines and scores were aggregated and reported as the percentage of the total possible score across the six AGREE II domains: scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigour of development, clarity of presentation, applicability, and editorial independence.

RESULTS

Initial 2,999 items were evaluated, with seven guidelines included. AGREE-II quality score agreement ranged from 43.3% to 95.8%. All guidelines scored >60.0% in the scope and purpose, however, most had poor scores of <26.5% in the rigour of development and <3.3% in editorial independence domains. All guidelines recommended screening using measures of habitual distance vision.

CONCLUSION

Of the guidelines developed for use in Australia and New Zealand, most guidelines scored poorly when assessed against the AGREE II tool, because of lack of editorial independence and rigour of development. Paediatric vision screening guidelines should prioritise systematic review of literature to inform practice and include statements regarding competing interests.

Preschool Vision Screening and Policy: Availability, Awareness and Perceptions of Stakeholders in Selected Locations in Harare and Mashonaland East Provinces

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the availability, awareness and perceptions of preschool vision screening (PSVS) and policies among stakeholders in Zimbabwe.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out, and a multi-stage sampling was used to select the schools from private and public schools. The study involved stakeholders (parents/guardians, teachers, principals, proprietors/owners and administrators) and data was collected using a validated questionnaire.

RESULTS

The mean age of the respondents was 36.68 ± 7.84 years. Out of the 213 stakeholders, 83.1% had not heard of PSVS. Among the 36 (16.9%) who had heard of PSVS, 20 (55.6%) were female. Some (1.9%) of the participants had a policy written in their facilities for PSVS. Awareness of PSVS was significantly associated with the respondents' designation and experience with children (p < 0.05). Support for PSVS was high, with 83.1% in favour, although 13.6% were undecided about implementing it. Support for PSVS was high, with 83.1% in favour, although 13.6% were undecided about implementing it in all schools. Overall, 55.9% of the respondents were prepared to consider PSVS as a mandatory part of the admission process.

CONCLUSION

Few stakeholders are aware of PSVS while majority had a positive perception in Harare and Mashonaland East provinces, and the schools had no written policies on PSVS. The findings of this study should provide a blueprint for stakeholders regarding PSVS.

Prevalence of visual abnormalities detected through paediatric vision screening in Queensland, Australia

BACKGROUND

Vision screening programs can provide epidemiological information regarding visual impairment in children. This study aims to report the characteristics of visual abnormalities diagnosed through the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program (PSNHRP) in Queensland, Australia.

METHODS

A retrospective review of vision screening records from the PSNHRP between January 2017 and December 2020 was undertaken. Children aged between 4 and 7 who underwent vision screening were included for review. Children with a visual acuity of worse than 6/9-1 using the Parr 4 m letter-matching chart or those who failed the SPOT Vision Screener were referred to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for review.

RESULTS

164 890 children underwent vision screening. 12148 children failed visual screening (7.4%) and were referred for an eye assessment. 6011 (69.4%) of the 8659 children who attended ophthalmic review had a confirmed visual abnormality. Of 164 890 screened children, 1187 (0.72%) were confirmed to have anisometropia, 3843 (2.33%) had refractive error, 194 (0.12%) had strabismus, 755 (0.46%) had anisometropic amblyopia, 136 (0.08%) had strabismic amblyopia, and 1356 (0.82%) had an unspecific abnormality. There was no statistically significant difference in the age at screening between any visual abnormality (p = 0.94). Anisometropia, refractive error, and strabismus were significantly more common in females than males (p = 0.03, p < 0.01, and p = 0.03 respectively), whereas anisometropic amblyopia was more common in males (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

We report the prevalence of visual abnormalities detected through the PSNHRP vision screening program. Identification of medical or socioeconomic risk factors that are likely to be associated with visual abnormalities can help to optimise vision screening programs.

Priorities in school eye health in low and middle-income countries a scoping review

School eye health (SEH) has been on the global agenda for many years, and there is mounting evidence available to support that school-based visual screenings are one of the most effective and cost-efficient interventions to reach children over five years old. A scoping review was conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, PubMed, and CINHAL between February and June 2023 to identify current priorities in recent literature on school eye health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Selection of relevant publications was performed with Covidence, and the main findings were classified according to the WHO Health Promoting Schools framework (HPS). A total of 95 articles were included: cross-sectional studies (n = 55), randomised controlled trials (n = 7), qualitative research (n = 7) and others. Results demonstrate that multi-level action is required to implement sustainable and integrated school eye health programmes in low and middle-income countries. The main priorities identified in this review are: standardised and rigorous protocols; cost-effective workforce; provision of suitable spectacles; compliance to spectacle wear; efficient health promotion interventions; parents and community engagement; integration of programmes in school health; inter-sectoral, government-owned programmes with long-term financing schemes. Even though many challenges remain, the continuous production of quality data such as the ones presented in this review will help governments and other stakeholders to build evidence-based, comprehensive, integrated, and context-adapted programmes and deliver quality eye care services to children all over the world.

Unveiling Visual Acuity in 58,712 Four-Year-Olds: Standardized Assessment Defined Normative Visual Acuity Threshold

The purpose was to define the threshold of normal visual acuity (VA), mean monocular and binocular VA, and interocular difference in the uniform cohort of healthy four-year-old children. All the children were recruited from the Croatian National Registry of Early Amblyopia Detection database. LEA Symbols® inline optotypes were used for VA testing at near and distance, binocularly and monocularly. The pass cut-off level was set to ≤0.1 logMAR. The final sample consisted of 58,712 four-year-old children. In total, 83.78% of the children had unremarkable results, and 16.22% of the children were referred to examination. Of those, 92% of the children were referred due to binocular, and 8% of the children due to monocular causes. The children referred due to binocular causes demonstrated a VA of 0.3 ± 0.24, while the children referred due to monocular causes 0.6 ± 0.21. The ROC curve analysis defined the uniform cut-off value for a normative VA of 0.78. We analyzed the largest uniform cohort of 58,712 children, and have determined normative data for binocular and monocular VA tested with gold standard logMAR chart in four-year-old children. The results presented here established no reasoning to further utilize historical protocols in testing VA in preschool children aged ≥ 4 years.

The Prevalence and Causes of Low Vision and Visual Impairment in School-Aged Children: The Shiraz Pediatric Eye Study

Purpose

To determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI) in Shiraz schoolchildren aged between 6 and 12 years.

Methods

In the present population-based study, stratified random sampling was used to select 2400 schoolchildren aged 6-12 years from all four educational districts of Shiraz, Iran. Using the definitions of the World Health Organization, VI was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≤0.5 logMAR (20/60) in the better eye, and blindness as BCVA worse than 1.3 logMAR (20/400) in the better eye. The low vision was defined as BCVA equal to or worse than 0.5 logMAR (20/60) in either eye. Data were recorded from a detailed interview and ocular examination of each eligible student.

Results

The mean age of the students was 9.1 ± 1.6 years. The prevalence of VI was 3/2001 (0.14%). The cause of VI in all these three patients (100%) was amblyopia due to high refractive errors (high ametropia and astigmatism). Regarding the main refractive errors leading to VI among these three patients, one patient had bilateral high hyperopia (compound hyperopic astigmatism), one of them had bilateral high astigmatism, and the other one had compound myopic astigmatism. According to a visual acuity of less than or equal to 20/60 in at least one eye, 9/2001 (0.4%) of children had low vision.

Conclusions

This study revealed a low prevalence of VI in a sample of 6- to 12-year-old school-aged children. Amblyopia in the setting of high ametropia and astigmatism were the most common causes of VI.

Vision Screening in Children: The New South Wales Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening Program

PURPOSE

The aim was to investigate universality of access, screening rate, and outcomes from the New South Wales (NSW) Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) over the period of 2009 to 2016.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, observational study.

METHODS

The StEPS program provides vision screening to 4-year-old children residing in NSW and is administered within Local Health Districts (LHDs). Visual acuity (VA) was examined by trained lay and nurse screeners using HOTV logMAR. Children who had VA <6/9-2 were referred to local practitioners while those with VA <6/18 were referred to public hospital pediatric ophthalmic outpatient clinics where available. Activity data were collected by NSW Health and screening rates determined from population projections of 4-year-olds per LHD based on adjusted 2014 Census data. To determine factors impacting screening and referral rates, a random effects panel analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

A total of 719,686 (96.4%) NSW 4-year-old children were offered StEPS vision screening between 2009 and 2016, 84% accepted and 564,825 children (75.6%) were screened. The screening rate increased from 67.3% in 2009 to 74.5% in 2016, with an 80% target reached for 3 consecutive years from 2013 to 2015. Of those screened, 19.2% were referred to an eye health professional or advised to have a vision retest in 12 months. This referral rate remained steady over the period studied, with little variation between metropolitan, and rural and regional LHDs.

CONCLUSIONS

StEPS is an ideal service model for preschool vision screening providing coverage that is comparable to school-based screening programs and at an age likely to facilitate optimal treatment outcomes.

Rates of spectacle wear in early childhood in the Netherlands

Background

Refractive errors are relatively common all around the world. In particular, early onset myopia is associated with a significant burden in later life. Little is known about refractive errors in preschool children. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of spectacle wear, visual acuity and refractive errors in young Dutch children.

Methods

We analyzed data of three prospective population-based studies: 99,660 3- to 5-year-olds undergoing vision screening at preventive child healthcare organizations, 6934 6-year-olds from the Generation R study, and 2974 7-year-olds from the RAMSES study. Visual acuity was measured with Landolt-C or LEA charts, spectacle wear was assessed, and refractive errors at age 6 and 7 were measured with cycloplegic refraction.

Results

The prevalence of spectacle wear ranged from 1.5 to 11.8% between 3 to 7 years with no significant gender differences. Among children with spectacle wear at 6 years (N = 583) and 7 years (N = 350) 29.8 and 34.6% had myopia respectively, of which 21.1 and 21.6% combined with astigmatism; 19.6 and 6.8% had hyperopia, 37.2 and 11.1% hyperopia and astigmatism, and 12.5 and 32.7% astigmatism only.

Conclusions

Spectacle wear in European children starts early in preschool and increases to a relatively frequent visual aid at school age. Advocating early detection and monitoring of refraction errors is warranted in order to prevent visual morbidities later in life.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03467-z.

Towards a national pre-school vision screening programme

The aim of the study is to examine common approaches to pre-school vision screening, including the current New South Wales model which is known as Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) to determine whether the criteria set by the World Health Organization are fulfilled by StEPS, and therefore, whether there is sufficient justification to deploy a similar model nationally. A literature review was conducted to answer four key questions related to vision screening. The authors sought to review (i) the justification for vision screening of a pre-school population; (ii) the principles and best approaches to vision screening such as how, where and who should conduct vision screening; (iii) the conditions that are targeted in vision screening; and (iv) the acceptable pass/fail vision screening criteria. The StEPS vision screening model is an accurate, reliable and economical way of screening for reduced vision at a time when neural plasticity allows improvement in vision following intervention. It fulfils World Health Organization criteria for a successful screening programme. StEPS has very high participation rates compared to other screening methods in Australia due to its unique model whereby screeners utilise early childhood settings to recruit and screen 4-year-old children. Due consideration should be given to deploying the StEPS vision screening model nationally.

Refractive outcomes of table-mounted and hand-held auto-refractometers in children: an observational cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

To compare the refractive results of hand-held and table-mounted autorefractors.

METHODS

We designed this study as an observational, cross-sectional study. We compared the mean spheric and cylinder power, spherical equivalent, Jackson cross-cylinder values, determined the limits of agreement (LoA), and evaluated the reliability of two autorefractors.

RESULTS

We evaluated 256 eyes of 256 pediatric patients (mean age, 9.12 ± 2.26 years; range, 5-16 years). 49% of the patients were female, and 51% were male. The Nidek HandyRef-K autorefractor measured relatively more astigmatism (P < 0.001) and less hyperopia (P = 0.024). The mean differences and 95% LoA were 0.06 D ± 0.47 D (- 0.82 D to 0.98 D) in spherical power, 0.08 D ± 0.28 D (- 0.47 D to 0.64 D) in cylindrical power, 0.11 D ± 0.47 D (- 0.81 D to 1.01 D) in spherical equivalent, 0.02 D ± 0.36 D (- 0.73 D to 0.69 D) in Jackson cross-cylinder power at 0°, 0.005 D ± 0.54 D (- 1.07 D to 1.06 D) in Jackson cross-cylinder power at 45°. We found the difference within 0.50 D in 244 (95%) eyes for spherical power, in 245 (96%) eyes for cylindrical power, 228 (89%) eyes for spherical equivalent, 224 (87%) eyes for Jackson cross-cylinder power at 0°, 213 (83%) eyes for Jackson cross-cylinder power at 45°. When comparing devices, there were strong correlations for spherical power (Spearman's rho = 0.99, P < 0.001), cylindrical power (Spearman's rho = 0.88, P < 0.001), and spherical equivalent (Spearman's rho = 0.98, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Two autorefractors showed clinically applicable agreement limits; excellent reliability for spherical power and spherical equivalent and good reliability for cylindrical power; high positive percent agreement for spherical and cylindrical power, spherical equivalent, Jackson cross-cylinder power at 0°and 45°. These results showed that both devices might be used interchangeably for screening of refractive error in children.

Current Challenges Supporting School-Aged Children with Vision Problems: A Rapid Review

Many children have undetected vision problems or insufficient visual information processing that may be a factor in lower academic outcomes. The aim of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the importance of vision screening for school-aged children, and to investigate the possibilities of how eye-tracking (ET) technologies can support this. While there are indications that these technologies can support vision screening, a broad understanding of how to apply them and by whom, and if it is possible to utilize them at schools, is lacking. We review interdisciplinary research on performing vision investigations, and discuss current challenges for technology support. The focus is on exploring the possibilities of ET technologies to better support screening and handling of vision disorders, especially by non-vision experts. The data orginate from a literature survey of peer-reviewed journals and conference articles complemented by secondary sources, following a rapid review methodology. We highlight current trends in supportive technologies for vision screening, and identify the involved stakeholders and the research studies that discuss how to develop more supportive ET technologies for vision screening and training by non-experts.

Evaluation of the red reflex: An overview for the pediatrician

BACKGROUND

Red reflex test (RRT) is a simple, non-invasive method that can be performed easily by pediatricians during the clinical examination in neonatal period, infancy and childhood. Abnormal reflexes can lead to prompt diagnosis of several ocular disorders, with potentially severe consequences on patient's vision, cognitive function and even life.

AIM

To underline the contribution of pediatricians to early detection of vision and life threatening diseases by using RRT effectively.

METHODS

For the present systematic review, PubMed searches were performed using the key words "red reflex and newborn"; "red reflex and neonate"; "red reflex and complications"; "red reflex and necessity"; "red reflex and retinoblastoma"; "red reflex and congenital cataract"; "red reflex and glaucoma"; "red reflex and prematurity"; "red reflex and leukocoria"; "red reflex and blindness"; "red reflex sensitivity and specificity"; "red reflex and differential diagnosis"; "red reflex and guidelines". The relevant articles were selected without language restrictions. When a full-text publication was not available, their English abstracts were used. In some cases, studies from the reference lists of the selected articles provided useful information. The research took place in September 2020, in the Ophthalmology Department of University Hospital of Alexandroupolis.

RESULTS

A total of 45 articles were selected according to the used key words. After reviewing data from these articles, it is supported that red reflex remains an effective tool of undeniable importance for early detection of severe eye conditions, such as cataract, retinoblastoma, retinopathy of prematurity and glaucoma. Although literature reports some limitations of RRT, including a notable percentage of false positive tests, the inability to detect small, peripheral retinoblastomas and the lower sensitivity for posterior segment pathology, it is widely accepted that the benefits from the regular evaluation of the test on public health are significant. Therefore, RRT has been established by international guidelines and should be an essential component of pediatricians clinical practice. Red reflex implementation should be incorporated in pediatricians educational programs, so that they would be able to provide quality services and safe diagnoses.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of RRT should be encouraged in all neonatal/pediatric departments. Prompt education of pediatricians should be empowered in order to achieve careful vision screening, according to current guidelines.

Technologies supporting vision screening: a protocol for a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Vision problems affect academic performance, social and mental health. Most traditional vision screening methods rely on human expert assessments based on a set of vision tests. As technology advances, new instruments and computerised tools are available for complementing vision screening. The scoping review based on this protocol aims to investigate current technologies for vision screening, what vision tests can be complemented by technologies, and how these can support vision screening by providing measurements.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The planned review will utilise the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) tool. Electronic search will be performed in databases, including Web of Science, MEDLINE (Ovid), Scopus, Engineering Village, Cochrane and Embase. We will perform a systematic search in selected reference databases without the limitation on publications dates, or country of studies. Reference management software, like EndNote and DistillerSR, will be used to remove duplicate entries. Two authors will independently analyse the studies for inclusion eligibility. Conflicts will be resolved by discussion. We will extract the types of technologies, types of vision tests they complement and the measurements for the included studies. Overall findings will be synthesised by thematic analysis and mapping to the logic model.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required for this review, as it will only summarise existing published data. We will publish the findings in an open access, peer-reviewed journal. We expect that the review results will be useful for vision screening experts, developers, researchers, and policymakers.

Prevalence of Prescription Glasses in the First-Grade Thai Students (7-8 Years Old)

PURPOSE

To study the prevalence of the prescription glasses given to first-grade students due to the "Good Sight for Thai Children" (GSTC) policy.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study that examined all prescription glasses given to first-grade students throughout Thailand, after visual screening due to the GSTC policy between 2016 and 2017. Trained class teachers screened their students' visual acuity and referred children who had less than 20/40 visual acuity in either eye to a hospital for an eye examination and prescription glasses.

RESULTS

A total of 786,729 students were screened. Of these, 20,401 (2.59%) students were referred to hospital. However, only 9867 (48.37%) students presented to a hospital. Glasses were prescribed for 5324 (53.96%) students following cycloplegic refraction by ophthalmologists or trained refractionists. The mean spherical equivalent was -1.08 (-19.00 to +10.00, SD 2.32) diopters. There were 1626 (30.54%) children at amblyopic risk without glasses. A 5.49% had high myopia (< -6 diopters), 5.22% had high hyperopia (> +5 diopters) and 27.82% had high astigmatism (>2 diopters). A cylindrical lens analysis showed that 81.53% had with-the-rule astigmatism, 4.07% had against-the-rule astigmatism, and 14.40% had oblique astigmatism.

CONCLUSION

Although the reliable prevalence of refractive error cannot be estimated, the prevalence of visual impairment may be estimated. There were a number of students who required glasses. The astigmatism was the most common refractive error on prescription glasses for first-grade children. With-the-rule astigmatism was the most prevalent. The visual screening program of school children proved to be valuable and should be continued and developed.

Pediatric Eye Care: We Cannot Lose Sight of Its Importance despite the COVID-19 Pandemic

Visual impairment affects over 19 million children globally and, if left untreated, can result in significant ocular morbidity. Due to the treatable nature of many childhood visual disturbances, pediatric vision screening is essential for optimization of health and developmental outcomes. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has inevitably disrupted the provision of routine pediatric health care as evidenced by reduced adherence to vaccination schedules. Further, the home environment, which many children have now become confined to, is known to pose risk for eye trauma which may result in irreversible vision loss. Therefore, it is imperative for pediatricians and pediatric ophthalmologists to focus on eye health and safety, despite the backdrop of a global pandemic.