The high testability and accuracy for cylinder power and axis are the strong points. The poor accuracy for the spherical equivalent is probably caused by the lack of cycloplegia. At present, non-cycloplegic autorefractor screening cannot be recommended due to the low specificity. Our findings support the advice that objective refraction in childhood must be performed with cycloplegia.

No abstract

Favorable functional results can be achieved by IOL implantation in children with cataracts. Many patients require secondary surgical procedures because of capsular opacities and iris capture.

The handheld autorefractor proved an accuracy of measurement comparable to that of conventional tabletop autorefractors for cylinder power and axis with limitations in accuracy for the spherical equivalent. Validity and threshold values for relevant abnormalities are to be evaluated in further studies. By the high cooperation rate the instrument proved useful for screening examinations in preschool children.