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Children's
Vision Screening
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Why
do children need vision screenings?
Young children with
vision problems often do not know that the way they see the world is not
the way everyone sees it. Yet vision problems affect one in 20 preschoolers.
They also affect one in four school children. Without early detection
and treatment, children's vision problems can lead to:
- permanent vision
loss
- learning difficulties
Only an eye doctor
can diagnose and treat a vision problem, but screenings help find children
who need a full eye exam. Prevent Blindness America's children's vision
screenings are an accurate, cost-effective way to find vision problems
in children.
What is Prevent Blindness America's children's
vision screening program?
Prevent Blindness America has the only national program that trains and
certifies people around the country to conduct screenings that find vision
problems in preschool and school-age children. Our screening procedures
are recommended by many of the nation's leading children's eye care professionals
and researchers.
What happens at a Prevent Blindness America children's
vision screening?
First, a screener checks the child's eyes for signs of problems. Trained
screeners note watering eyes and swollen or crusted lids. Screeners also
watch how the child acts, since that may show signs of a problem. Rubbing
of the eyes or tilting of the head may indicate the child has trouble
seeing. Screeners consider what teachers and parents say about the child's
behavior. Screeners check the child's distance vision (distance visual
acuity). The screeners use the recommended charts to conduct the check.
Children with problems seeing things at a distance may have trouble seeing
the blackboard at school or performing well at sports.
Screeners will also test children through age 9, or third grade, to see
whether the eyes are straight and how well their eyes work together. This
test is important because children whose eyes do not work well together
are at risk for lazy eye (amblyopia). Lazy eye can cause lifelong vision
loss in the affected eye.
If it is found early enough, however, lazy eye can be treated. In general,
the earlier lazy eye is found, the greater the chance of preventing permanent
vision loss.
How will I know if my child needs an eye exam?
Results of the vision screening are used to assess whether a child needs
to see an eye doctor. Children who need a full eye exam are referred to
an eye doctor of the parent's choice. Families in financial need are directed
to local agencies. They may also qualify for Vision Service Plan's Sight
for Students® program which helps provide follow-up vision care to
families in need of financial assistance.
What is photoscreening?
Photoscreening is a tool for screening the eyes of pre-verbal or challenged
children. During a photoscreening, the screener uses a special camera
to take a picture of the subject's eyes. Once the instant photo is developed,
a trained screener uses the photo to look for signs of vision problems.
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