Abstract
Background: What constitutes an appropriate vision screening protocol is controversial,
because the tests or methods are expected to be cost-effective, expedient and easy but efficient
in detecting visual anomalies among children.
Aim: This review intends to compare the different vision screening tests for children and
methods in the interest of identifying the most effective screening method from the standpoint
of validity, public acceptance, expediency and cost.
Method: The literature search was performed for this review using the Medline, Science
Direct and EBSCOhost databases. The search terms used were vision screening methods or
tests, children’s vision screenings, computer software programs and vision screening instruments.
The inclusion criteria for the articles reviewed were all types of articles related to vision
screening methods. The exclusion criteria were all articles for which full text was not
available and those not available in English. Eighty articles were analysed, of which 33
were found to have complied with the inclusion criteria and were selected. From the first
round of articles retrieved, additional references were identified by a manual search among
the cited references.
Results: Evidence from the literature reviewed demonstrated that the conventional vision
screening method (isolated and combination tests) is the method commonly used to detect a
range of relevant visual anomalies among the schoolgoing age group (≥ 6 years) and drew
attention to the need for training of vision screening personnel. However, in addition to the
conventional method, other vision screening methods include instruments as an adjunct for
screening preschoolers and those difficult to screen (≤ 6 years).
Conclusion: Inconsistencies in what constitutes an appropriate vision screening method still
exist, especially with the booming market of using computer software programs, which still
needs to be validated.