Vision Screening

1. Vision Screening By Brandy Flood

2. Basic Facts • One in four school aged children have a vision impairment that gets in the way of their learning • Vision problems more common in children with disabilities • An infant’s eyes should be checked as soon as possible for abnormalities and muscle imbalance to reduce risk of permanent vision loss • Early detection improves success of medical treatment

3. Take notice! • The child’s teacher is usually the first to notice clues in a child’s behavior that might suggest a vision disorder • Unlikely that young children will recognize when their vision isn’t normal • Special attention should be paid to children with known physical disabilities • Delays in identifying vision problems could affect learning process

4. Methods of Assessment • Any concerns should be discussed with the child’s family • Routine screenings are essential • Teachers and volunteers can be trained to administer many standardized visual acuity tests • Children’s eyes should be checked for • Convergence • Depth perception • Binocular fusion • Deviations in pupil position

5. Common disorders • Amblyopia • “lazy eye”, approximately 2% of children younger than 10 have this. • Caused by a muscle imbalance or childhood cataracts resulting in blurred/double vision. • Refractive Amblyopia: One type of lazy eye, called refractive amblyopia, is caused when one eye is more nearsighted or farsighted than the other, making it difficult for the eyes to focus together. • StrabismicAmblyopia: Another common cause of lazy eye is strabismus.  Strabismus, often referred to as a crossed or wandering eye, is a condition in which the brain is unable to properly align the eyes. • Treated by having the child wear a patch over the stronger eye until muscle strength improves in weaker eye . Other methods for treatment include eye drops, corrective glasses, and special eye exercises • Teachers may be asked to help give treatment, be supportive, and make accommodations for students.

6. Common disorders (cont’d) • Strabismus • “crossed eyes”, causes observable misalignment of the child’s eyes . May experience double or blurred vision, images from weaker eye ignored by brain, and gradual loss of vision • Children with obvious crossed or wandering eyes have to deal with the self-consciousness arising from questions, stares, and teasing from their peers.  • Early recognition is essential for restoring normal vision • Several methods are used to treat strabismus: • Surgical correction • Patching of unaffected eye • Eye exercises

7. Common disorders (cont’d) • Myopia • “nearsightedness”, meaning they can see near objects but cannot see far clearly • Problematic for young children because they move quickly • Squinting is common • Teachers can note these behaviors and refer children for screening

8. Management • Families should be counseled and encouraged to arrange for professional screening • Teachers can help families understand why it is important to follow through with any recommendations • Arrangements can be made through pediatrician’s office, public schools, etc. • Children who don’t pass initial vision screening should be retested • Results should be read with caution because it does not guarantee that there is or isn’t a problem • Visual acuity changes over time; VERY important for teachers and families to be aware of children’s visual performance

9. How would I address this as a teacher? • I would address the importance of going to the eye doctor and making sure that your vision is okay. • If necessary, if children give those with visual impairments any problems or grief, I will construct the class not to.

10. Sources Cited • Marotz, R., L. (2008). Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child. Wadsworth Pub Co. • <http://www.childrensvision.com/>