Development of the Eye Screening Program for Young Children

Supaporn Tengtrisorn, M.D.
Penny Singha, M.D.
Prinda Siangyai
Somporn burachokvivat *
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkhla University, Hat-Yai, Songkla

ABSTRACT : A prospective descriptive study was conducted to determine the ability of non ophthalmic personnel in eye screening program for young children (3 years ? 6 months) from three Kindergartens in Hat-yai district. Ninety-four (26.3%) out of 358 children were signed out for by their parents. Eighty nine children or 24.9% were examined by ophthalmic personnel while ninety one (25.4%) children were examined by a non ophthalmic group. Between January 2003 and January 2004, ninety four children (49 boys and 45 girls) were subjected to eye examination. The average ages were 3.3 ? 2.7 years. The mean refractive error (retinoscopy) in the right and left eye were -0.2 ? 0.5 diopters and -0.3 ? 0.4 diopters, respectively. The cut point of visual acuity test (LEA test) was Log Mar > 0.4. The sensitivity of results for ophthalmic personnel revealed 57.1% in contrast to 85.7% to the non ophthalmic group. Specificity test showed 93.9% for the former, and 90.2% for the latter. The positive predictive values were 44.4%, 42.9% and the negative predictive value were 96.3%, 98.7% respectively. The eye screening program for young children can therefore be done by non ophthalmic personnel.

Thai J Ophthalmol 2003 ; July-December 17(2) 163-169.Ke

y word : eye screening, children, visual acuity,