Certified Children's Vision Screening

PROGRAM CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT

Why do children need vision screenings?
What is PBA’s children vision screening program?
What happens at a PBA children’s vision screening?
What happens after the vision screening?

Check our calendar for Children's Vision Screening Certification Class Dates

Our trained screeners work directly with schools to identify children in need of professional eye care. PBA-Arizona conducts screenings according to protocols established by leading experts in children’s eye care. Most authorities consider the screening tests to be the most important tests of visual ability. Acuity screening can detect an array of vision problems including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and muscle imbalance. These screenings assess a child’s vision (visual acuity) and also check for common problems like strabismus and amblyopia, which can lead to lifelong vision loss if not corrected by the age of 9 years old.

Why do children need vision screenings?

Over 100,000 local children are at risk for permanent vision loss. PBA Arizona is the only organization in Arizona dedicated solely to preventing vision loss. An estimated 5 million adults have irreversible vision loss due to early childhood eye diseases, which would have been detected with school vision screenings. Statistics show that 19% of children require glasses, however, studies estimate that 4 out of 5 children do not have their vision screened before entering school.

What is PBA's children vision screening program?

The purpose of a screening is to identify and refer children with potential vision problems to an eye care professional or primary care provider for further examination, diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment and follow-up.

What happens at a PBA children's vision screening?

The components listed below comprise a minimum or baseline for an effective vision screening program. Additional procedures may be conducted where practices vary by state law, public health or Head Start guidelines. Some tests might also include color perception or near acuity screening.

• Observation (ABCs)
• Distance Visual Acuity Screening
• Stereopsis screening using the Random Dot E (through age 9 years old)
• Follow-up

What happens after the vision screening?

Children unable to complete the screening on the first attempt should be scheduled for re-screening at a later date. If they are unable to complete at the 2nd attempt, then they should be referred to an eye doctor. If parents can’t afford a visit to the eye care professional and the child is not on AHCCCS or does not have private vision insurance, we provide a Sight for Student’s voucher for a free eye examination and corrective lenses, if needed.