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Next Training: October 16, 2009 - 9:00 a.m. to noon @ PBI
Childrens Vision Screening Programs
Eighty percent of learning is visual, yet one in four school-age children and one in 20 preschool-age children has an undiagnosed vision impairment.
Indiana law requires a Modified Clinical Technique (MCT) exam be performed by a licensed eye-care professional at kindergarten or first, third and eighth grades. No funds or resources support these laws, however, so because of limited time, means and manpower, schools can seek a waiver of the MCT exam. Schools that opt out of the MCT requirement can ask PBI to screen—our teams help schools screen their children early and efficiently to make sure they are visually prepared to learn.
Sometimes the issue is with acuity—an impaired ability to see the world around them: books, blackboard, art, playing field and people. Other times the issue is with field of vision or muscle imbalance, which can lead to poor depth perception and, in some cases, permanent loss of vision in the weaker eye.
For signs a child might need an eye exam, download this Vision Symptoms Checklist.
Below are the vision screening techniques we use, all approved and recommended by Prevent Blindness America.
Visual Acuity
Lea Symbols Chart This chart has symbols evenly sized and spaced with easily identified images, as well as smaller chart to present to a child so he or she can point to the matching picture if they cannot or prefer not to say it aloud.
HOTV Chart This chart uses four letters in the Logmar Scale to screen for visual acuity.
SureSight This hand-held equipment allows our staff and volunteers to conduct electronic vision screenings on large groups efficiently and effectively, as well as screen infants and children with communication barriers due to age, language or physical condition.
Field of Vision / Muscle Balance
Random Dot E Stereopsis Depth perception test designed for children ages 3 and older. Child is asked to put on 3D glasses and point to which of the two cards—one with a raised E, the other without—has a raised E. The muscles have to work together properly in order to see the E; the child must pass this four out of six times to ensure they are not guessing.
Through our new Vision Tracker call center, we are able to determine whether the guardians who don't call for help are getting the children to the eye doctor and, if not, why and how we can help overcome any potential barriers to care.
If you are interested in becoming a certified children's vision screener, you can email Phil Rainey or call her at 317-815-9943 ext. 231. Trainings last 90 minutes.
If you are interested in submitting a Sight for Students application on behalf of a child, you can email this form to sight4students@pbeye.org or fax it to 317-815-9952. Also available in Spanish. Turnaround time is roughly two weeks.
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