Many parents are under the impression that the vision screening their children receive form the school nurse or at the pediatrician’s office is sufficient. There are no set standards or criteria for passing a vision screening; and a vision screening can give a parent a false sense of security.
According to a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, vision screenings were attempted on fewer than 60% of the three-year old children in pediatricians’ offices. They found that in general, the younger the child, the less likely it was that a vision screening was attempted. An attempt was defined as 10 or more seconds spent trying to get the child to cooperate with a vision screening.
The purpose of a vision screening is to diagnose “gross abnormalities” in distance vision. Vision screenings are a limited process and cannot be used to diagnose an eye or vision problem, but rather to indicate a potential need for further evaluation. Additionally, screenings do not typically include any sort of test for near vision; which is the vision used when drawing, coloring, putting puzzles together and in the classroom.
Just as children should visit the pediatrician and the dentist, they should also see a licensed eye care provider for a
Learning Related Vision Examination. A pediatric Learning Related Vision Examination differs from a typical eye exam because it includes testing and evaluation of visual skills in addition to visual acuity.
Pediatric Learning Related Vision Examinations are performed by a Development Optometrist and include the following:
- Acuity – Distance Vision: visual acuity (sharpness, clearness) at 20 feet distance.
- Acuity – Near Vision: visual acuity for short distance (specifically, reading distance).
- Focusing Skills: the ability of the eyes to maintain clear vision at varying distances.
- Eye Tracking and Fixation Skills: the ability of the eyes to look at and accurately follow an object; this includes the ability to move the yes across a sheet paper while reading, etc.
- Binocular Vision or Fusion: the ability to use both eyes together at the same time.
- Stereopsis: binocular (two-eyed) depth perception.
- Convergence and Eye Teaming Skills: the ability of the eyes to aim, move and work as a coordinated team.
- Color Vision: the ability to differentiate colors.
- Reversal Frequency: confusing letters or words (b,d; p, q; saw, was; etc).
- Evaluation of age-appropriate vision skills.
- Visual Memory: the ability to store and retrieve visual information.
- Visual Form Discrimination: the ability to determine if two shapes, colors, sizes, position, or distances are the same or different.
- Visual Motor Integration: the ability to combine visual input with other sensory input (hand and body movements, balance, hearing, etc); the ability to transform images from a vertical to a horizontal plane (such as form the blackboard o the desk surface).
Remember: an eye exam that tests distance vision only is NOT an adequate evaluation of a child’s visual development. The visual skills listed above contribute significantly to a child’s success with reading and school achievement.
Since 1991, Dr. Jeffrey C. Johnson and our team of trained specialists have been providing accurate, professional diagnoses and state-of-the-art treatment you can count on. Our expertise, experience and results speak for themselves. We look forward to being of service to you and your family.