Intraobserver comparison between Mohindra’s technique of retinoscopy and cycloplegic retinoscopy in children under five years of age in Suba, Bogotá, 2013

Abstract

<em><strong>Objective:</strong></em> To determine whether there is a significant difference between results obtained by Mohindra retinoscopy and results by cycloplegic retinoscopy in children of age between one and four years eleven months. <em><strong>Methodology:</strong></em> A descriptive comparative analytical study was performed. The selection of the sample consisted of a hundred eyes (fifty children) with a maximum refractive error of 8.00 D for hyperopia, and of 1.00 D for astigmatism. Net results from Mohindra retinoscopy were compared to net results from refraction with cyclopentolate 1%, which was performed eight days after near retinoscopy. For the statistical analysis we used the paired difference test with the SPSS software (version 19), with ≈ 0.05. Then, in order to compare the homogeneity in the variance of the age groups, Levene’s analysis of variance was performed; given that the test had differences in the variances for the different age groups and the groups had different sizes, the robust Welch test was used to double check the equality of means in the groups. <em><strong>Results:</strong></em> According to the socio-demographic variable age, 64% were boys (64 eyes or 32 boys), and 36% girls (36 eyes or 18 girls), differences of a maximum of 0.50 D were demonstrated between the two methods. Conclusions: The research showed a statistically significant dissimilarity, but it did not demonstrate any clinically significant difference between the methods of retinoscopy.