Breakthrough in the Early Detection of Childhood Vision Disorders

Study Indicates Successful Development Of Computerized Vision Screening System

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The development of a digital computerized vision screening system that makes it possible to detect childhood eye diseases in less than one minute was reported by researchers from the University of California, San Diego's Abraham Ratner Children's Eye Center, part of the renowned Shiley Eye Complex.

As reported in the September/October issue of the Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus, 206 children between the ages of nine months and 16 years were tested for vision disorders. Using trained volunteers instead of professional photographers, images were taken of each child's eyes with a modified digital camera which, when downloaded, were analyzed within 35 seconds by newly developed image analysis software. When compared with results from examinations of the same children taken by a pediatric eye expert, the research team reported a nearly 90 percent agreement between doctor and computer.

This finding is considered significant because between an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 children permanently lose at least partial vision each year. The high incidence of vision disorders in children has led many countries to require vision screening for children within the public school system. In the U.S., the National Institutes of Health has made it a priority issue to improve detection of vision disorders in infants and young children. Currently, only one half of the children see pediatricians, so only 20 percent are ever tested prior to school.

"Since pediatricians typically evaluate less than 40 percent of children under the age of four, school is often the first place where eye problems can be identified," said the report's lead researcher, David B. Granet, MD, Associate Professor and Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Diego's Shiley Eye Center. "By putting an automated, objective system in the hands of pediatricians and schools, we can more easily detect vision-threatening disorders. This is important because studies indicate that the younger the child is when a problem is identified, the better the therapeutic response."

With results available in less than one minute, both doctors and parents receive immediate feedback and have the opportunity to take the appropriate corrective action. The system has the capability of identifying a multitude of vision problems, including cataracts, strabismus (eye misalignment), and various needs for eyeglasses, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

The digital computerized vision equipment, manufactured by EYEDX of LaJolla, Calif., is now available nationally to schools and health care professionals.

Established in 1991 the Donald P. and Darlene V. Shiley Eye Center is part of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Medical School at the University of California, San Diego. From basic eye exams, to the most advanced diagnostic testing and sophisticated surgery, the Shiley Eye Center is designed to provide comprehensive eye care services at one convenient location.

The Abraham Ratner Children's Eye Center at the Shiley Complex is a dedicated eye facility specially designed to meet the needs of children of all ages and adults with eye disorders stemming from childhood onset.

CONTACT: Phoebe Stein of Phoebe Stein Public Relations, 773-348-6327, or cityphoebe@worldnet.att.net, for Shiley Eye Center

Date: Oct. 19, 1999