AAPOS uniform guidelines for instrument-based pediatric vision screen validation 2021.

BACKGROUND: As instrument-based pediatric vision screening technology has evolved, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) has developed uniform guidelines (2003, updated 2013) to inform the development of devices that can detect specified target levels of amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) and visually significant refractive error. Clinical experience with the established guidelines has revealed an apparent high level of over-referral for non-amblyopic, symmetric astigmatism, prompting the current revision. METHODS: The revised guidelines reflect the expert consensus of the AAPOS Vision Screening and Research Committees. RESULTS: For studies of automated screening devices, AAPOS in 2021 recommends that the gold-standard confirmatory comprehensive examination failure levels include anisometropia >1.25 D and hyperopia >4.0 D. Astigmatism >3.0 D in any meridian and myopia < -3 D should be detected in children <48 months, whereas astigmatism >1.75 D and myopia < -2 D should be detected after 48 months. Any media opacity >1 mm and manifest strabismus of >8Δ should also be identified. Along with performance in detecting ARFs and refractive error, validation studies should also report screening instrument performance with regard to presence or absence of amblyopia. Instrument receiver operating characteristic curves and Bland-Altman analysis are suggested to improve comparability of validation studies. CONCLUSIONS: Examination failure criteria have been simplified and the threshold for symmetric astigmatism raised compared to the 2013 guidelines, whereas the threshold for amblyogenic anisometropia has been decreased. After age 4 years, lower magnitudes of symmetric astigmatism and myopia are also targeted despite a low risk of amblyopia, because they can influence school performance and may warrant consideration of myopia prevention therapy.

Evaluation of a smartphone photoscreening app to detect refractive amblyopia risk factors in children aged 1-6 years.

PURPOSE: To determine the specificity and sensitivity of a smartphone app (GoCheckKids [GCK] used as a photoscreening tool on the iPhone 7 to detect refractive amblyopia risk factors in children aged 1-6 years. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, 10-month evaluation of children aged 1-6 years old who underwent photoscreening with the GCK app to detect amblyopia risk factors. The first acceptable quality photograph of each study subject was evaluated by trained technicians using GCK's proprietary automated image processing algorithm to analyze for amblyopia risk factors. Trained graders, masked to the cycloplegic clinical data, remotely reviewed photographs taken with the app and compared results to the gold standard pediatric ophthalmology examinations using the 2013 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus amblyopia risk factor guidelines. Primary outcome was the ability of the GCK app to identify amblyopia risk factors compared to the cycloplegic refraction. RESULTS: There were 287 patient images analyzed. The overall sensitivity and specificity in detecting amblyopia risk factors were 76% and 85%, respectively using manual grading. The overall automated grading results had a sensitivity and sensitivity in detecting amblyopia risk factors of 65% and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The GCK smartphone app is a viable photoscreening device for the detection of amblyopia risk factors in children aged 1-6 years.

Case series of angle-closure glaucoma after laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: Laser photocoagulation is the current treatment standard for severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Uncommon, but well recognized complications include cataract, and vitreous and retinal hemorrhage. Angle-closure glaucoma after laser photocoagulation for ROP is rare. The purpose of this study was to identify additional cases of angle-closure glaucoma following laser treatment for ROP. METHODS: Five eyes of four patients with angle-closure glaucoma following laser treatment for ROP were identified by three ophthalmologists at separate institutions between 1997 and 2001. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records. Clinical and surgical findings associated with the diagnosis and management of angle-closure glaucoma following ROP laser were evaluated. RESULTS: The following data were collected (mean (range)): gestational age, 26.8 (24 to 29) weeks; birth weight, 833 (570 to 1062) g; age at laser treatment for ROP, 35 (33 to 37) weeks; number of laser burns, 1598 (930 to 2400); and time to diagnosis of angle-closure glaucoma, 3.6 (2 to 5) weeks. Three of five eyes had objective data for intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal diameter with mean IOP 41 mm Hg (35 to 44) and mean corneal diameter 11.1 mm (10.25 to 11.5). Initial treatment included topical and systemic medications. Three eyes required surgical intervention. Angle-closure resolved in all cases with normalization of IOP. Follow-up (5 months to 3.6 years) showed that affected eyes tended to be more myopic than unaffected fellow eyes (mean spherical equivalent -6.5 vs -4.7 diopters). CONCLUSIONS: Angle-closure glaucoma can develop following laser treatment for severe ROP. Medical, and frequently surgical, intervention provides effective management.

Retinopathy of prematurity in infants with birth weights greater than 1250 grams.

PURPOSE: To determine whether severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) occurs in infants whose birth weights exceed 1250 g. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1118 premature infants with birth weights > 1250 g, who were referred for screening examinations for ROP, to determine the severity of ROP observed. We then cross-tabulated these data with each infant's estimated gestational age and birth weight. Finally, we applied currently recommended screening guidelines retrospectively to determine whether they would have identified infants who had developed severe disease and who were subsequently treated. RESULTS: Stage 3 ROP was detected in infants with estimated gestational ages up to and including 32 weeks and birth weights up to and including 1874 g. A total of 26 of the participants received laser treatment for threshold ROP. Seven of these infants would not have been referred for screening according to current guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Current screenings guidelines may fail to detect severe ROP in larger, more mature infants.

SubTenon's infusion of steroids for treatment of orbital hemangiomas.

PURPOSE: To introduce an alternate technique for the treatment of infantile orbital hemangiomas. DESIGN: Non-comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Seven consecutive children with orbital hemangiomas. INTERVENTION: Posterior subTenon's steroid infusion using a blunt-tip cannula. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical stabilization, improvement, or resolution. RESULTS: Significant and sustained involution of the hemangiomas occurred in all cases. No local or systemic complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The results of subTenon's steroid infusion for the treatment of orbital hemangiomas in children are encouraging and may be associated with fewer intraoperative risks compared with direct intralesional injection.