Ethnic, racial diversity needs to be considered for vision screening algorithms

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — In a study presented at Kiawah Eye, instrument-based screening for amblyopia risk factors and refractive error showed different sensitivity levels depending on ethnicity or eye coloration.
“The goal for this study was to compare predictive ability of the Spot screening procedure to detect amblyopia risk factors for myopia and hyperopia with variations of patients in terms of different skin and ocular pigment,” Charles Pophal, MD, said.
The Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener (Hillrom/Baxter) is a photorefraction device that is used to determine if a child