QUALITY OF VISUAL SCREENING IN PRESCHOOL- CHILDREN

Background In Germany the paediatricians use three different visual ac uity tests (Pictures, Rodenstock-Test, H-Test). We investigated the ef fectiveness of these procedures. Subjects In this study 303 children w ere referred by paediatricians to the study group in the Cologne Augen klinik. They were fully examined by an orthoptist and an ophthalmologi st (gold standard). Results From these data the sensitivity and specif icity of the tests used by the paediatricians were calculated. Only th e H-Test proved io be satisfactory. Conclusion The actual situation of screening for amblyopia by paediatricians in children aged 3 1/2 to 4 is unsatisfactory in Germany. Paediatricians and ophthalmologists sho uld use a similar test for visual acuity. Continuing education of medi cal personnel is desirable to ensure an adequate quality of