PURPOSE

To determine the testability of Retinomax and IOLMaster ocular biometry in preschool children.

DESIGN

Population-based study of inner city preschool children in Los Angeles County.

PARTICIPANTS

Two thousand five hundred forty-five Hispanic and 2178 African American children 6 to 72 months old.

METHODS

Subjects were identified by door-to-door screening within previously identified contiguous census tracts. Pediatric ophthalmologists or optometrists performed comprehensive eye examinations on all subjects. Refractive error and keratometry measurements were attempted on all subjects with the Retinomax autorefractor after cycloplegia. Axial length measurements with the IOLMaster partial coherence interferometer were attempted on those subjects ages 30 to 72 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Ability to obtain high confidence autorefraction readings or axial length measurements on both eyes.

RESULTS

Overall, 89% were testable in both eyes with the Retinomax device, and 91% of the children were testable with the IOLMaster. Testability rose sharply with age, so that by age 36 months 98% of children were testable with the Retinomax device and 90% were testable with IOLMaster. There were no consistent gender- or ethnicity-related differences in testability overall or when stratified by age for either device.

CONCLUSIONS

Young children can be reliably tested for ocular biometry with the Retinomax and IOLMaster devices. This may impact strategies for management of cataracts and refractive errors in preschool children.