Authors : Sinchana Adyanthaya, Sinchana Adyanthaya, Abhilash B, Abhilash B
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijceo.2020.090
Volume : 6
Issue : 3
Year : 2020
Page No : 418-421
Background: Discrepancies have been reported between the results of objective refraction obtained with
autorefraction (AR), retinoscopy, and the correction which is accepted by patients on subjective refraction.
Aims: To assess the refractive status of school age children using retinoscopy and autorefraction, and
estimate the accuracy of each in acceptance of subjective correction.
Study Settings & Design: It was a prospective cohert study.
Materials and Methods: School children of 6-15 years were enrolled for the study, after obtaining
informed consent from the parent/guardian and assent from the children. 140 eyes of 70 children were
evaluated in this study. Cycloplegia achieved using Cyclopentolate 1% eye drops and was examined by both
retinoscopy and autorefraction. Subjective refraction was done and the relative accuracy of both methods
with respect to subjective correction was noted.
Statistical Analysis: The results were compared and statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square
test with p0.05.
Results: The spherical power estimated by retinoscopy, was accepted subjectively by 89.3% eyes, while
35% eyes accepted the spherical refractive power estimated by autorefraction. The cylindrical power,
estimated by retinoscopy, was accepted by 49.2% eyes, while, 72.8% eyes accepted AR values. Estimation
of axis of cylinder on retinoscopy were accepted by 55.7% eyes, while those of autorefraction by 75.7%
eyes. The diagnostic accuracy of retinoscopy and autorefraction were comparable, but higher agreement
was found with retinoscopy for spherical power component, while autorefraction was slightly better for
cylindrical refractive error.
Conclusion: Conventional retinoscopy is still the most accurate objective method to estimate the refractive
status in children and can be considered a reliable starting point for subjective refraction, however,
autorefraction has comparable accuracy and can be a valuable aid to prescribe cylindrical correction.
Keywords:Â Autorefraction, Cylinder, Myopia, Refraction, Retinoscopy.