Diagnostic Accuracy of Teacher-Administered School Vision Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Mariana Cunha, Amélia Fernandes Nunes, Marco Miguel et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of teacher-administered vision screenings for refractive errors in children aged 4-18 years, comparing results to gold-standard examinations by eye care professionals. The pooled sensitivity was 76.8% and specificity was 93.6%, indicating that teacher screenings can be effective, particularly with proper training and protocols.
Key findings
- Pooled sensitivity of teacher-administered screenings was 76.8% (95% CI: 62.4%, 86.9%).
- Pooled specificity was 93.6% (95% CI: 85.7%, 97.3%).
- Younger children had a sensitivity of 89.29%, compared to 45.45% in adolescents.
- Studies using a 6/12 cutoff showed a minimum sensitivity of 72.6%.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that teacher-administered vision screenings can effectively identify refractive errors in children, which is crucial for early intervention and improving visual health outcomes. Proper training and consistent protocols are essential for maximizing the effectiveness of these screenings.