School Vision Screenings Are Failing Our Kids

How Accurate are Vision Screenings?

If you have a child in school they have probably had a vision screening. These are generally performed by a pediatrician, or a nurse if done at school. It’s important to note that these are rarely performed by a vision specialist or optometrist.  A vision screening is usually part of a school general physical. This is an opportunity to note any physical issues and may lead to a referral to an eye doctor, although they do not offer a diagnosis or treatment plan.

The Good and Bad of School Vision Screenings

The American Optometric Association says:

  1. Schools screenings provide <4% of the vision tests needed to help a child see.
  2. Miss up to 75% of children with vision problems.
  3. Of the children found to have eye problems through screening, 61% never visit the eye doctor.

School vision screenings are limited, but are typically able to detect issues such as myopia (nearsightedness) and amblyopia (lazy eye). Amblyopia is a visual issue that requires an optometrist with speciality training. Vision screenings often fall short diagnosing visual issues that have an impact on learning, reading and classroom performance. Issues like hyperopia (farsightedness), binocular vision (eye teaming) disorders, eye tracking and eye focusing can have a significant impact on visual functioning for learning.

What to do after a Vision Screening

Your child has had a vision screening so what now?

If your child has failed any portion of the vision screening, it’s necessary for them to see an optometrist or other eye care specialist. If there is suspicion of a visual issue impacting learning, your child may likely need to see an optometrist who specializes in vision therapy and binocular vision. Optometrists who specialize in treating visual issues that affect learning are called developmental or functional optometrists.

What does a Developmental Optometrist Do?

A developmental optometrist specializes in vision therapy. Vision therapy has been scientifically proven to treat and remediate a number of learning-related vision issues. COVD is a website dedicated to the advancement of vision therapy and the prevention, enhancement, and rehabilitation of functional visual issues.

Below you’ll find the full article on vision screenings and how they are insufficient in detecting a number of significant visual issues.

HPI American Optometric Association Issue Brief: “Vision Screen: Should Be Called “Amblyopia Screening” 

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What is Vision Therapy?

What is Vision Therapy?

Vision is More than 20/20

Vision therapy, or vision rehabilitation, is a program of therapeutic activities that works on the eye-brain connections involved in visual coordination and visual processing. Vision therapy, is not eye exercises, nor is it designed to strengthen your eye muscles since they are generally very strong on their own. By influencing how the eyes and brain work together, vision therapy develops, rehabilitates, and enhances deficient visual skills to improve visual comfort, ease, and efficiency, and change how a person processes and interprets visual information.

Before understanding what vision therapy is and how vision plays a role in a person’s life, it’s necessary to know the difference between eyesight and vision. Eyesight is the ability to see a set of letters clearly on a chart at a distance of 20 feet. A common misconception is that 20/20 eyesight means you have perfect vision. Vision is more than seeing clearly; it is a complex combination of learned skills, including eye movement coordination, binocular fusion (eye teaming), accommodation (eye focus) and visual perception. It’s been stated that nearly 80% of what we are required to learn and process in school comes in through the visual system. When visual skills are well developed, a person can sustain attention, read and write without careless errors, give meaning to what they see and rely less on movement to stay alert. These visual skills & visual perceptual abilities require specialty vision testing to determine if they are interfering with abilities in learning. 

Functional Vision Issues & ADHD, Dyslexia

Vision therapy treats the vision problems that interfere and prevent a person from functioning at the highest level which can impact learning, attention, and behavior. Children may have functional vision problems that mimic learning disabilities such as ADHD and may be misdiagnosed. This is where in-depth vision testing is important and necessary before any diagnosis is made or medication prescribed. Other patients may have co-existing vision problems and learning disabilities where the visual issues still need to be addressed.

Does Vision Therapy Work?

In a word, yes. Vision therapy is a well established field within the optometric profession with research studies that parallel other therapies such as occupational and physical therapy. There are, however, some websites or professions that attempt to misrepresent Vision therapy and it is important to look to organizations that provide objective information on the topic. The list of scientific research on the support of vision therapy is well known.

Be Cautious of Surgical Recommendations or Outdate Treatments

Too often, unnecessary eye surgical interventions, or outdated eye treatments such as patching or drops to penalize the “better eye” may be recommended when the issue is not the eyes, but rather how the brain controls the eyes. The brain must be taught how to use the eyes.

Where Can I Find More Information About Vision Therapy?

There are a number of great organizations that support and advocate for the scientific efficacy of Vision Therapy.

  • COVD   College of Optometrists in Vision Development
  • OEP      Optometric Extension Program
  • NORA   Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association
  • AOA      American Optometry Association

An optometrist with the credentials, FCOVD, after their name indicates they have advanced speciality certification as a board-certified Fellow in vision development & rehabilitative optometry. Because these visual issues are often not detected on routine eye exams or vision screens, they can easily be missed and go undiagnosed. Appropriate near-point and functional vision testing by an optometrist specializing in Vision therapy is necessary.

Please contact our office at (402) 502-0043 or email [email protected] to learn more about vision therapy and how it can improve your life.
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Computer vision syndrome

Computer Vision

Computer vision syndrome is relatively new. It refers to eye problems associated with the prolonged use of computers and electronics that use a digital screen. Although it can be temporary, there are times when it can strain your eyes to a degree that permanently affects your vision.

If you suffer from an existing eye condition, it can worsen your computer vision syndrome. This is because it can be difficult for your eyes to focus on the computer screen. One of these conditions is astigmatism. Even though they suffer from this condition, many people feel normal until they sit in front of a computer.

Precautions should be taken if you spend long hours in front of a computer screen. Proper lighting and posture can make a difference. You might also want to adjust your screen’s resolution and check the brightness and contrast. A few simple changes like these can help to ease the tension in your eyes. You should also take breaks if you are going to spend a few hours in front of your computer.

Some signs of computer vision syndrome include blurry vision, dry eyes, eye strain, headaches, and neck or back pain. At first, you should try adjusting the lighting, your posture, and the distance between you and the front of your computer screen. However, if you continue to experience symptoms, you should have an eye examination.

A Quick Tip Guide for Alleviating Computer Vision Syndrome from YourSightMatters.com

  1. Reposition your screen. Adjust your screen to be at a right angle away from any direct light source. Invest in an anti-glare screen for your monitor to make computer work gentler on your eyes.
  2. Remember the 20-20-20 rule. This rule reminds you that every 20 minutes, you should look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
  3. Don’t forget to blink. While it may sound ridiculous, write yourself a note and place it on your monitor. Write “Blink Often” or any other message that will remind you to regularly close your eyes to keep them from getting dried out.
  4. Use artificial tears. Over-the-counter eye drops can be extremely helpful in preventing dry eye and keeping your eyes comfortable.
  5. Drink water. Adequate hydration can make a big difference, especially during the winter months when heaters and furnaces can make the air particularly dry.
  6. Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams. Nothing can replace the importance of having an eye exam by a licensed ophthalmologist at regular intervals. If you have any concerns about your vision or experience any changes with your eyesight, do not delay in making an appointment.

 

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