Amblyopia

Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is the number one cause of loss of vision in children. A new app called GoCheck Kids can now be used to screen kids for this condition.

Normally, a pediatrician tests for amblyopia with an eye chart. However, this only works with a child that will/can cooperate with the procedure. This means that most children will be 3 or 4 before they are tested. With the GoCheck Kids app, parents can now take a picture of their child’s eye and submit it for analysis. The app can be used to test children as young as 6 months old.

What it detects

The GoCheck Kids app allows for children to be tested at a younger age. The sooner amblyopia is detected the sooner that child can receive treatment and prevent vision loss. Gocheck Kids detects for several amblyopia factors:

Nearsightedness: child can see up close, but not far away.

Farsightedness: child can see far away, but not up close.

Unequal prescriptions in the eyes: vision in each eye is different.

How it works

1. Sign in and choose the patient: Click on the patient and select the photo screen.
2. Take the photo: align the patient’s eye with the on-screen mask.
3. Line up the patient’s eyes: Once the photo has been taken, line up the blue lines on either side of the patient’s eyes.
4. View results: Results will be available immediately. If there are risk factors, the child may be referred to see a Doctor for further evaluation.

“The camera flash passes into the eye through the pupil reflecting off the back of the eyeball and then out again, allowing the camera to record detailed images of the inside of the child’s eyes,” said NBC4’s Dr. Bruce Hensel, in the article New app helps Screen for Vision Loss in Children. The result is a photo with a crescent shape on either the right or the left side of the eye. It’s then measured by an ophthalmologist who determines if the child has nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or lazy eye.”

This Amblyopia smartphone test should be used for initial screening only. If the app does detect Amblyopia risk factors, an eye specialist should be seen to formally diagnosis the condition.

For more smart phone eye tests check out this Care Club HealthNews Article.