DOI: 10.4103/ojo.ojo_100_25 ISSN: 0974-620X

Comparison of refractive examination results in children with and without cycloplegia using retinoscopy and autorefractors

Delvi Indera Mayasari, Ulfah Rimayanti, Marlyanti Nur Rahmah, Purnamanita Syawal

Abstract:

CONTEXT:

Uncorrected refractive errors are the most common cause of visual impairment and global blindness.

AIMS:

This study aims to assess the accuracy of refractive error measurements using streak retinoscopy and autorefraction, both with and without administering cycloplegics, in children aged 4–10 years.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN:

This study is an analytical observational research with a cross-sectional design.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

This study was conducted at an eye clinic from January 2020 to August 2020, with 90 subjects. The examination utilized 1% cyclopentolate cycloplegia administered twice within 1 h, along with retinoscopy and autorefractors.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:

The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS:

The study results indicate that (1) there was no significant difference in the mean spherical equivalent (SE) before cycloplegia between the two instruments ( P = 0.630); (2) a significant difference in mean SE after cycloplegia was observed for both instruments ( P < 0.001); (3) significant differences in mean SE after cycloplegia were noted for both instruments in cases of compound myopic astigmatism ( P < 0.001), compound hyperopic astigmatism ( P = 0.007), and mixed astigmatism ( P = 0.001); and (4) examination of all subjects showed undercorrection of autorefractometry results compared to those of retinoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Retinoscopy and autorefractors yield different results for refractive error correction after cycloplegia. Therefore, autorefractor examination with cycloplegia cannot be considered a substitute for retinoscopy with cycloplegia.

More from our Archive