This time of year, many schools around Orlando and Kissimmee are performing vision screenings on our children. If they have this done at school or at the doctor, do they really need an eye exam by an Optometrist? We get that question all the time here at Lake Nona Eye Care.
What is the difference between an eye exam and vision screening?
“It is important to know that a vision screening by a child’s pediatrician or at his or her preschool is not the same as a comprehensive eye and vision examination by an optometrist. Vision screenings are a limited process and can’t be used to diagnose an eye or vision problem, but rather may indicate a potential need for further evaluation. They may miss as many as 60% of children with vision problems. Even if a vision screening does not identify a possible vision problem, a child may still have one,” according to the American Optometric Association.
“Passing a vision screening can give parents a false sense of security. Many preschool vision screenings only assess one or two areas of vision. They may not evaluate how well the child can focus his or her eyes or how well the eyes work together.”
Unfortunately, not all kids know they are having difficulty seeing, they may not even know they can’t see like everyone else. This can lead to trouble learning, according to the American Optometric Association; over 80% of a child’s learning process is through their eyes and recommends children’s receive a yearly comprehensive eye exam. Good vision is a necessary element for reading, writing, seeing the blackboard, sports, and computer work.
Signs your child may have vision trouble include:
Excessively blinking and rubbing their eyes.
Holding materials and books close to their face.
Sitting too close to the TV or seeing double.
Experiencing headaches or have a short attention span.
Tilting their head or covering one eye.
Difficulty remembering what they read.
Though your child may have a simple vision screening at school, they only identify some distance problems. An exam at Lake Nona Eye Care will identify other vision problems that may impede the success of your child. These include, eye alignment, color perception, depth perception, sight threatening eye disease such as retinal pathology and glaucoma, pupil dilated exam, pressure measurements and the potential need for eyeglasses or contacts.
Catching issues early is an important key to everyone’s long-term vision health. The Vision Team at Lake Nona Eye Care provides a comprehensive eye examination in a positive relaxed environment for children and adults, ages 5 and up.