Reliability of Cycloplegic Autorefractor Measurements to determine Spherical and Astigmatic Refractive Errors in Young Children

Background: This paper mainly focuses on the reliability study of cycloplegic autorefractor measurements over other methods in young children. Material and Method In a prospective study, 200 school children aged 8 to 15 years were evaluated for refractive errors in a period of one year. Noncycloplegic autorefraction, followed by cycloplegic conventional retinoscopy and cycloplegic autorefraction was performed. Cyclopentolate eye drops(1 %) are used for this purpose. Fundus examination was performed in all children to exclude any posterior segment pathology. Post-mydriatic assessment was performed after one week. Results Post-mydriatic test values are used as gold standard. There is a no significant difference between cycloplegic autorefractor spherical power, cylindrical power and axis measurements against Post mydriatic test values. The difference is statistically significant in case of non -cycloplegic autorefraction. Conclusion Autorefraction with cycloplegia can be substituted for the conventional cycloplegic retinoscopy for both spherical and astigmatic refractive errors in young children. Note: This study was conducted by first author at Department of Ophthalmology, Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, India in the year 2002-2003.