Future of preschool vision screening

Abstract

Should morphine or pethidine be given? Editor-Davies and Oni's review of the management of sickle cell disease 1 was published in the same issue of the BMJ as the evaluation by Fertleman et al of a fast track admission policy for children with sickle cell crises. 2 The review is based on the practice at the Central Middlesex Hospital, where pethidine has been associated with fits, and morphine is the preferred analgesic. 1 At the North Middlesex Hospital, only a few miles away, pethidine is evidently preferred in children. 2 Was this difference of approach noted by the editorial staff? Which group is right?

The relationship between anisometropia and amblyopia

“…The benefit of early detection and treatment also receives strong support from Williams et al (2002) who reported that at 7.5 years, amblyopia was significantly less prevalent in the intensively screened group than in the control group (0.6% v 1.8%), and from Kvarnstrom et al (1998) and Kvarnstrom et al (2001) who reported better visual outcomes when multiple early screenings take place. These results provide solid evidence for the view expressed by Simons (2005) and others (Williamson et al, 1995; Williams et al, 1998; Preslan and Novak, 1996, 1998) that amblyopia is more prevalent in socially disadvantaged and medically-underserved communities (see ‘Other Factors’ section below). However, it is noteworthy that even in populations that have access to screenings and therapy (e.g.…”