A new objective digital computerized vision screening system

Purpose: Fewer than 40% of children in the crucial younger-than-4 age group are evaluated for visual problems by pediatricians. This is due to impract icality from either a clinical or practice efficiency standpoint. Current p hotoscreening methods require trained readers and suffer from significant s ubjectivity and interobserver variability. We report a cross-sectional, dou ble-masked study using new digital imaging with objective, automated, compu terized image analysis. Methods: Two-hundred six children aged 9 months to 16 years were prospectiv ely studied in a University-based pediatric ophthalmology practice. images were taken by volunteers with a modified digital camera which, when downloa ded, were analyzed within 35 seconds by new image analysis software. The an alysis was compared to a masked review of a complete pediatric ophthalmic e xam. Results: Overall agreement between physician and the objective computerized analysis was 86.9%. Positive predictive value was 91%, sensitivity was 89% , and specificity was 83%. Conclusions: This automated digital imaging screening system eliminates hum an bias and provides accurate and immediate results. The system requires no special expertise.