Comparison of the cycloplegic refractive measurements with handheld, table-mounted refractometers and retinoscopy in children

Background: Handheld autorefractometers are now widely used for screening refractive errors in children. The purpose of the study was to compare measurements from table-mounted, handheld and retinoscopy Material methods: Measurements children with poor visual acuity and/or strabismus were obtained 2WIN table-mounted Nidek ARK-1 refractometers after instillation 0.5% atropine. Data on sphere, spherical equivalent (SE), cylindrical vectors at 0 degrees (J0) 45 (J45) analysed. Results: collected 57 (mean age, 4.3 years ± 2.0 years). refractometer measure statistically significantly lower SE mean values than or (1.67 1.48 D, 2.96 1.95 2.92 1.93 respectively). 95% LOA narrowest SE, J0, J45 vector retinoscopy. difference between more pronounced higher J45. Conclusion: autorefractor provided a reading similar that streak autorefractor. differences other two methods values, so careful interpretation autorefraction results would be advised, especially who most significant risk amblyopia.