PHOTOREFRACTION IN INFANTS

Background 426 children were examined, using the isotropic photorefrac tion method (Atkinson et al. 1981). The aim of this study was to analy ze whether the frequency of convergent strabismus and/or amblyopia wou ld increase, particularly in cases of high ametropia, and whether the early prescription of spectacles would be beneficial. The preliminary results of this study are presented here. Materials and methods 426 ch ildren aged between 5 and 12 months were examined. Family history, par ticularly involving strabismus, ametropia and amblyopia, was ascertain ed and taken into consideration. Results -Spherical refraction: 92% of the children were emmetropic or slightly hyperopic (less than or equa l to + 2.5 D). 3.4% were hyperopic (> + 2.5 D spherical equivalent) an d 4.6% were myopic (0.9 greater than or equal to - 2.0 D). - Astigmati sm: 85% had no or mild (less than or equal to 1.5 D) astigmatism. Valu es greater than 3.5 D were rarely seen. - Anisometropia: 67% of the ch ildren had no side-difference and only 2.4% had anisometropia with val ues greater than 1.5 D. - Family history/orthoptic findings: 2.6% of t he examined population had strabismus. In 12.2% of al the cases one or e more first degree relatives had strabismus. Hyperopia and strabismus were found more frequently in this latter group, namely hyperopia (> + 2.5 D spherical equivalent) in 13.6% and strabismus in 11.5%. Conclu sions Refractive errors greater than 2.5 D were seldom seen in this st udy, and yet were more frequently detected in families with a history of strabismus. In our opinion, isotropic photorefraction is a method m ost suitable to screening these especially high-risk groups.