Blinq screening device effective in detecting amblyopia, strabismus in children
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Key takeaways:
- The blinq device detected amblyopia and strabismus with 87.5% sensitivity.
- Including children with intermittent strabismus and/or high refractive error, the device improved to 91.3% sensitivity.
The blinq screening device directly detected amblyopia and strabismus with high sensitivity in pediatric patients, according to a study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
“Most vision screening devices are designed to detect amblyopia risk factors (ARFs), including strabismus and refractive error abnormalities most associated with the development of amblyopia,” study author Savannah Reaves Monahan, BS, from the Storm Eye Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina, and colleagues wrote. “The blinq is a new screening device designed to directly detect amblyopia and strabismus rather than ARFs.”
In a prospective, clinical validity analysis of the blinq (Rebion Inc.), 267 children (average age, 6.3 years; 54.7% girls) underwent screening to detect amblyopia or strabismus first with the device and then with a pediatric ophthalmologist, who was masked to the blinq results. The blinq results were delivered as pass or refer.
Comparing the screening results, the researchers reported that the blinq detected amblyopia or any constant strabismus with a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 51.3%. When including children with intermittent strabismus and/or high refractive error, which had been referred by the blinq, the device had an improved sensitivity of 91.3% and specificity of 63.2%.
“The blinq offers a sensitive screening device for direct detection of amblyopia and strabismus,” Monahan and colleagues wrote. “We present our results to continue to inform care providers and communities as they design programs to improve children’s vision.”
Perspective
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Around the world, amblyopia remains a significant problem, and many companies have tried to create tools to assist during vision screenings. The tools aim to have great sensitivity and specificity outcomes and not miss children that need a referral for further care. One such new tool is the blinq. The authors in this study set out to perform an independent assessment of blinq’s effectiveness. Specifically, they set out to see how effective it was in detecting amblyopia and strabismus in children.
The authors concluded that the device was appropriate for screenings, to detect amblyopia and strabismus in children. They do go on to say that their study suggested the use was best for children 3 years old or older, as well as younger children who were cooperative. As optometrists, we are sometimes approached by non-eye care providers for guidance on vision screenings or we take part in vision screening events in certain U.S. communities and settings or overseas. That is one place where this article and others like it can help offer guidance on the best and latest tools available, so we can be further equipped to have discussions on the topic and make evidence-based recommendations.
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