Efficacy of Brückner's test for screening of refractive errors by non-ophthalmologist versus ophthalmologist: A comparative study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of Brückner's test as a screening tool for identifying refractive errors by a non-ophthalmologist and to assess the inter-observer variation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted at a tertiary care medical college hospital. Brückner's test was performed by a non-ophthalmologist followed by an ophthalmologist. The results were confirmed by cycloplegic refraction. RESULTS: The study included 75 children (31 males and 44 females) with a mean age of 13.3 ± 1.2 years. The results of Brückner's test by both non-ophthalmologist and ophthalmologist showed good sensitivity and specificity when compared with cycloplegic refraction. There was a good strength of agreement between the observations of non-ophthalmologist and ophthalmologist. CONCLUSION: Brückner's test is simple, quick, reliable, and easy to administer on children of all age groups that can provide information about the presence of refractive errors by using a coaxial light source such as direct ophthalmoscope. The application of this test by training primary care providers would be of immense value in the early identification of refractive errors.