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A study out today finds that up to 20% of children with normal eyes who undergo comprehensive vision exams may be prescribed glasses they don't need.

In an article published online in the Journal of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and strabismus, researchers examined the records of more than 100,000 preschoolers who were screened through a statwide program in Tennessee.

More than 3,600 children were referred to specialists for follow-ups because of suspected disorders, such as Lazy eye, according to the study. About one-quarter, or 890, were found to have no eye problems. Yet nearly one in five of these children were prescribed glasses.

Some health professionals were more likely to misdiagnose kids than others, said Sean Donahue, lead study author and an associate professor of ophthalmology, pediatrics and neurology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Optometrists prescribed glasses 35% of the time; general ophthalmologists, 12%; and pediatric ophthalmologists, 2%, shows the study.

To Donahue, that suggests that optometrists and ophthalmologists who usually treat adults may not have as much expertise with children. Many youngsters are slightly farsighted, he said, although most will grow out of the condition without glasses.

While many doctors recommend that preschoolers should be screened for vision problems, experts disagree about the best approach. Kentucky requires that youngsters undergo comprehensive eye exams before beginning school.

Donahue said states should think carefully about such expenses before following Kentucky's example. Given the high level of misdiagnoses, Donahue said, such laws could be expensive. Glasses cost about $150; exams add another $100.

Instead of forcing all preschoolers to get a formal exam, he said, kids could be screened by doctors, teachers, nurses or others, then referred to eye specialists for further examination.

Susan Taub, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Northwestern University, said she is concerned that many children suffer from undiagnosed eye disorders, which can cause permanent damage or hurt their ability to learn.

Doctors still do not know which tests or technology work best, Taub said. "This does need further study," she said. "We don't want kids to fall through the cracks."

 

From: Study: Not all kids with glasses need them
By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-06-23-eyeglass-usat_x.htm

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