What is the purpose of autorefraction (automated refraction) for determining prescription glasses at a community health fair?

From the Guidelines

Autorefraction is a recommended service for community health fairs to provide preliminary vision screenings and eyeglass prescriptions, as it offers a quick and efficient way to measure refractive errors and identify potential vision problems, as supported by recent studies 1. The use of autorefractors in community health fairs can help identify individuals who require further evaluation and treatment, particularly in underserved communities where access to vision care may be limited. According to the refractive surgery preferred practice pattern 1, each eye should be evaluated independently, and the refraction may be performed objectively by retinoscopy, an autorefractor, or a wavefront analyzer. The reproducibility of subjective refraction has been found to be within 0.50 diopters (D) for spherical equivalent, spherical power, and cylindrical power 1. Key points to consider when using autorefraction in community health fairs include:

• The importance of having trained technicians operate the devices to ensure accurate measurements
• The need for participants to receive a printed copy of their preliminary prescription results and information about the importance of following up with an eye care professional for a complete examination
• The potential benefits of autorefraction in identifying undiagnosed vision problems and connecting people with needed vision correction, particularly in underserved communities
• The limitations of autorefraction, including the need for comprehensive eye examinations by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to confirm the accuracy of the prescription and detect any underlying eye diseases. As noted in the refractive errors preferred practice pattern 1, cycloplegic refraction is especially indicated for patients in whom accommodation cannot be relaxed and for patients whose symptoms are not consistent with the manifest (noncycloplegic) refractive error. Overall, autorefraction can be a valuable tool in community health fairs, but it should be used in conjunction with comprehensive eye examinations to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

From the Research

Autorefraction for Prescription Glasses at Community Health Fairs

• Autorefraction is a crucial examination for prescribing glasses, and portable automated refractors have become increasingly important for remote telemedicine encounters 2.
• A systematic review of portable automated refractors found that Quicksee and SVOne are the most accurate and patient-preferred devices, with Quicksee being the most accurate and performing clinically the same as subjective refraction in some reports 2.
• Community health fairs can be an effective way to provide access to eye care, including autorefraction, to underserved populations 3, 4.
• Barriers to eye care, such as lack of health insurance and transportation, can be addressed through community health fairs, which can provide free or low-cost screenings and referrals to eye care services 3, 4.
• The use of artificial intelligence-based vision screening in community health fairs may help improve access to eye care, with one study finding that 88% of participants had follow-up appointments scheduled and a 62% attendance rate 3.

Effectiveness of Community Health Fairs

• Community health fairs can be effective in promoting health outcomes and improving access to care in historically marginalized communities 4.
• A study of a community health fair found that participants reported high satisfaction with the event and were more comfortable managing their health after attending 4.
• Community health fairs can also provide valuable feedback for improving future community health initiatives and identifying areas for improvement in access to care 4.

Portable Automated Refractors

• Portable automated refractors, such as Quicksee and SVOne, have been shown to be accurate and effective in providing autorefraction measurements 2.
• These devices can be used in community health fairs to provide convenient and accessible eye care screenings 2.
• The use of portable automated refractors can help increase access to eye care and improve health outcomes, particularly in underserved populations 2.