Kid's Vision Often Overlooked

8/3/2005 1:00:00 AM

As children and teens head back to school, it's important to add an eye examination to the list of Back-to-School essentials.

It is estimated that nearly 25% of school-age children have vision problems
(August 3, 2005) --- As children and teens head back to school, it’s important to add an eye examination to the list of Back-to-School essentials. It is estimated that only about one third of all children have had an eye examination or vision screening prior to entering school. Also, studies have found that 11.5% of teenagers have undetected or untreated vision problems.

According to the American Optometric Association’s National survey of vision screenings of the pre-school and school age child survey, the earlier a vision problem is diagnosed and treated, the less the potential negative impact it may have on the child's development.

“It is important that parents do not consider the vision screening conducted in school as a comprehensive eye exam,” said Dr. Leonard F. Avril, board-certified optometric physician, of Southwest Florida Eye Care. “Those screenings do an adequate job of identifying significant vision problems that should be referred to an eye doctor, but are no substitute for regular, professional care.

The fact that vision screening is a limited, non-diagnostic process is often not communicated effectively to the public. This creates the illusion that "passing" the screening means that there is no vision problem.

Poor vision can lead to poor performance in school. And the longer it goes undetected, the more valuable learning time children can lose.

“We often see children in our practice who come in seeking a prescription for eyeglasses when we may find a more serious concern, such as amblyopia, or lazy eye, as an example,” said Dr. Avril. “If left untreated, this type of eye condition can lead to permanent vision loss.”

The American Optometric Association suggests that all children should receive a comprehensive eye and vision examination assessing and treating any deficiencies in ocular health, visual acuity, refractive status, and binocular vision prior to entering school. Children with no symptoms of vision problems should have a comprehensive examination at age 3 followed by another examination before first grade, and then comprehensive eye and vision examinations every 2 years through the school years. Children with vision problems or with a family history of visual impairment may need to have examinations more frequently at the discretion of their doctor of optometry.