Accuracy of noncycloplegic refraction performed at school screening camps

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare noncycloplegic refraction performed in school camp with that performed in eye clinic in children aged 6� years. Methods: A prospective study of children with unaided vision <0.2 LogMAR who underwent noncycloplegic retinoscopy (NCR) and subjective refraction (SR) in camp and subsequently in eye clinic between February and March 2017 was performed. A masked optometrist performed refractions in both settings. The agreement between refraction values obtained at both settings was compared using the Bland朅ltman analysis. Results: A total of 217 eyes were included in this study. Between the school camp and eye clinic, the mean absolute error � standard deviation in spherical equivalent (SE) of NCR was 0.33 � 0.4D and that of SR was 0.26 � 0.5D. The limits of agreement for NCR were +0.91D to ? 1.09D and for SR was +1.15D to -1.06D. The mean absolute error in SE was ?0.5D in 92.62% eyes (95% confidence interval 88%�%). Conclusion: A certain degree of variability exists between noncycloplegic refraction done in school camps and eye clinic. It was found to be accurate within 0.5D of SE in 92.62% eyes for refractive errors up to 4.5D of myopia, 3D of cylinder, and 1.5D of hyperopia.