Diagnostic test accuracy of Spot and Plusoptix photoscreeners in detecting amblyogenic risk factors in children: a systemic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Purpose Amblyopia is a permanent visual impairment developed in early childhood. Recently, instrument‐based photoscreeners have been widely used for vision screening to detect amblyopia risk factors, which is key for the prevention and treatment of amblyopia. This meta‐analysis aims to evaluate the diagnostic test accuracy of Spot and Plusoptix photoscreeners in detecting risk factors for amblyopia in children. Methods An electronic literature search was performed in October 2018 using the MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Twenty‐one publications with a total of 5022 subjects were included. Subjects given a comprehensive examination were considered to have amblyopia or amblyogenic risk factors based on the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) referral criteria guidelines. Results The overall sensitivity for Spot and Plusoptix was 87.7% and 89.4%, respectively (p = 0.38); the specificity was 78.0% and 89.9%, respectively (p = 0.90). For subjects under 7 years old (preschool children), the overall sensitivity for Spot and Plusoptix was 91.7% and 90.2%, respectively (p = 0.81); the specificity was 82.6% and 93.0%, respectively (p = 0.46). Conclusion Both Spot and Plusoptix photoscreeners demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity in detecting amblyopia risk factors in children, especially at preschool ages. There was no significant difference in diagnostic test accuracy between them.

School-based epidemiology study of myopia in Tianjin, China

“…The Spot photoscreener we used in this study has been shown to have good consistency with cycloplegic refraction test in our previous study [ 5 , 31 , 32 ]. It is also reported to have an overall high sensitivity (91.7%) and specificity (82.6%) in detecting amblyogenic risk factors in children [ 10 ], suggesting its good test accuracy. This evidence proved it a reliable screener for myopia.…”

“…This increased myopic measurement could be explained by the pupil dilation or the accommodation induced by the 1 m working distance of screener [ 5 ]. It is also the reason of the relatively high referral rate for amblyopia risk factors from the photoscreeners [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Red reflex images can be acquired from subjects by simply asking them to look at the device, while non-cycloplegic refractive status, pupil size and gaze deviation are automatically recorded. It is reported to have an overall high sensitivity (91.7%) and specificity (82.6%) in detecting amblyogenic risk factors in children [ 10 ], which makes it an ideal screener for myopia.…”

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Comparing Phacoemulsification Combined with goniosynechialysis to other mainstream procedures in treating patients with angle-closure glaucoma

“…[2] Patients with PACG, to some extent, have specific anatomic abnormalities, characterized by the thick lens and short axial length of eyeball which may cause the pupillary block, narrowed anterior chamber and subsequent intraocular pressure (IOP) increase. [3,4] Based on the pathogenesis, removing the thick lens seems to be necessary to treat PACG.…”

Performance of plusoptix A09 photo screener in refractive error screening in school children aged between 5 and 15 years in the southern part of India

“…These results are also contradicting to a study performed under 7 years at a different geographical location. 33 The refractive cut-off values used here were as per the AAPOS guidelines. 27 A modification in the referral criteria (for myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism) could improve the sensitivity and specificity values.…”