AIM:To discuss the feasibility of microcoria optometry in screening for children ametropia.

METHODS: Totally 217 school-age children were selected, included 94 first-grade students(6～8 years old)and 123 fourth-grade students(9～12 years old). Refractive diopter was measured with automatic refractor RM-8000 to evaluate the accuracy of micocoria optometry in screening ametropia.

RESULTS: After cycloplegia, both the mean sphere diopter and cylinder diopter in grade one students changed significantly(P<0.05), the mean sphere diopter in grade four students changed significantly(P<0.05), while the mean cylinder diopter had no statistical difference(P>0.05)in grade four students. Different refractive type: before and after mydriasis spherical myopia, spherical equivalent difference was 0.263±0.618 and 0.216±0.653D, with statistical significance(P<0.01); In hyperopia group, spherical myopia, spherical equivalent difference was 0.947±0.946 and 1.039±0.984D, with statistical significance(P=0.000). The lenticular difference between the two groups were not statistically different(P>0.05). Choosing small pupil computer optometry for ≤-1.00D, ≥-0.50D child myopia or hyperopia could get more accurate value of diagnostic cutoffs, Youden index was 0.672 and 0.580.

CONCLUSION: Microcoria optometry can be as a effective method of screening of children with ametropia, but if for optometry, school-age children must accept mydriasis.