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Home » What’s New » Vision Examinations Versus Screenings in Childhood

Vision Examinations Versus Screenings in Childhood

Mar 10, 2015
4184 Glen Steele OD, FCOVD, FAAO
The Affordable Care Act covers vision care for children from birth to age 18 years, including eyeglasses, as an essential benefit. This is important to families who would not otherwise have access to this service. In the past, children had vision screenings with their family doctor or pediatrician or in school, but screenings are very limited in scope and do not directly lead to diagnosis or treatment. The Affordable Care Act allows for direct access to an eye doctor for examination without having to be referred based on a screening.

Studies have continually demonstrated that vision screenings miss the majority of visual conditions linked to school performance.

“Passing” a vision screening lulls parents into a false sense of security that their children's vision is up to the tasks presented in the classroom. The conditions that screenings most accurately identify, strabismus, amblyopia, and myopia, do not translate to function and performance in the classroom. Screenings emphasize visual acuity at distance, but most of the requirements in the classroom depend on nearpoint, and not on a distance measure . This is especially true when the requirements involve using computers and tablets for daily activities.

Even in those children who fail a vision screening, the follow-up rate is only 50% for those who then have a comprehensive eye examination.

Vision is a very important factor in assessing a child's overall development and developmental milestones.

Parents need to think about the importance of vision at a very early age.

When not identified within the first year, the developmental issues related to vision become much more complicated. For example, vision issues are now linked to autism, ADHD, social and emotional milestones, cognitive milestones, and attention. Left undiagnosed at an early age, abnormal visual conditions continue to interfere with overall development and success in the classroom and in life.

It is important that all parents have their children undergo periodic, comprehensive eye and vision examinations.

Vision screenings should never be used as a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination. A comprehensive eye and vision examination leads to earliest identification and earliest intervention and a better and more productive life for all children.