Utility of an open field Shack-Hartmann aberrometer for measurement of refractive error in infants and young children

PurposeTo assess the utility of an open-field Shack-Hartmann aberrometer for measurement of refractive error without cycloplegia in infants and young children.MethodData included 2698 subject encounters with Native American infants and children aged 6 months to <8 years. We attempted right eye measurements without cycloplegia using the pediatric wavefront evaluator (PeWE) on all participants while they viewed near (50 cm) and distant (2 m) fixation targets. Cycloplegic autorefraction (Rmax [Nikon Retinomax K-plus2]) measurements were obtained for children aged ≥3 years.ResultsThe success rates of noncycloplegic PeWE measurement for near (70%) and distant targets (56%) significantly improved with age. Significant differences in mean spherical equivalent (M) across near versus distant fixation target conditions were consistent with the difference in accommodative demand. Differences in astigmatism measurements for near versus distant target conditions were not clinically significant. Noncycloplegic PeWE and cycloplegic Rmax measurements of M and astigmatism were strongly correlated. Mean noncycloplegic PeWE M was significantly more myopic or less hyperopic and astigmatism measurements tended to be greater in magnitude compared with cycloplegic Rmax.ConclusionsThe PeWE tended to overestimate myopia and underestimate hyperopia when cycloplegia was not used. The PeWE is useful for measuring accommodation and astigmatism.