The present study compares the refraction of normal children and young adults measured with a standard refractor and a hand-held refractor. Refractive errors were estimated for each refractor under cycloplegia: sphere, cylinder and cylinder axis were compared. No significant difference was found between the two methods. We performed this study before starting a screening campaign in preschool children to evaluate if the pediatrician and paramedical staff may rely on the hand-held refractors.