Abstract
This clinic audit evaluated the SPOT Vision Screener’s accuracy in detecting amblyopia risk factors in children needing referral for further assessment.
All patients (n=93) at a refraction clinic underwent both SPOT screening by an orthoptist and cycloplegic refraction by a paediatric optometrist. We compared results to assess sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy for key risk factors.
SPOT measurements correlated linearly with cycloplegic refraction but tended to underestimate hyperopia. Sensitivity for hyperopia >4D varied (right eye: 0.5, left eye: 0.36-0.58) while specificity remained high (>0.99). SPOT accurately detected astigmatism >1.75D in children over 4 (sensitivity: 0.85, specificity: 0.86).
Our findings align with previous validations. SPOT excels at identifying children without significant hyperopia but shows lower sensitivity for those with it, especially in the left eye. However, it effectively detects astigmatism.
The SPOT Vision Screener is a valuable tool in orthoptic clinics, helping prioritize children for further assessment and potentially streamlining referrals. Implementing SPOT screening in such clinics can also alleviate pressure on traditional refraction clinics.