Drive-thru children eye screening using a vision screening device in response to COVID-19 in Indonesia

Darusman, Kianti R.

Introduction: Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way of delivering health services worldwide into telemedicine and drive-through examination. Most schools also shift into online learning, including in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia. It has been reported that myopia prevalence is high in Southeast Asia, and refractive errors if not corrected properly may lead to amblyopia. Therefore, a regular eye screening is important. This study aims to report an outdoor drive-thru children eye screening utilizing Plusoptix A12 in Indonesia. Methods: A case series of consecutive subjects aged 4 to 17 years that underwent drive-thru eye screening using digital Snellen chart at 4 feet distance and Plusoptix A12 autorefractor photoscreening at 3 feet distance while seated inside a car in a 1 month period of July 2020 are included in the study. Results: A total of 47 children (19 males), aged 4-16 years (mean, 8.5;median, 10) were screened. Of these, 29 (61.7%) underwent further eye examination for subjective refraction in the clinic, while 18 (38.3%) were either determined not subjected to further eye examination or had their eye examination performed in another health facility. Myopia requiring spectacle correction was found in as early as 5 years of age (10%). The incidence of myopia detected was highest in the >10 years age group (67%) Conclusion/Relevance: The use of Plusoptix A12 in conjunction with visual acuity testing in an outdoor, drive-thru setting is an effective and safe method of children eye screening. This method is useful for myopia detection in Indonesia while maintaining physical distance during COVID-19 pandemic.