|
VISION SCREENING TEST | VISION ASSESSMENT | SCHOOL VISION EVALUATION
COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS | CHILDREN'S EYE EXAMS
Vision Screening Test
A test that is used to make general categorizations of examinees (i.e. students). Vision screenings typically test only for distance vision. Vision screenings are performed by school nurses. In many instances volunteers also perform vision screening tests. Equipment called “vision screeners” maybe used for the testing and run by the volunteers and/or school personnel. Vision screening tests are a valuable component to vision care but should not be thought of as a comprehensive vision examination.
back to top
Vision Assessment
A vision assessment is a systematic method of obtaining evidence from a series of defined tests that is used to draw inferences about the health and function of the visual system. “See To Learn” is an example of a vision assessment available free of charge from a “See To Learn” provider for every three year old in the state of Nebraska. Vision assessments are valuable to determine a child’s possible problems with visual health and function but vision assessments do not replace comprehensive vision examination.
back to top
School Vision Evaluation
All students new to Nebraska schools are required by law to receive a vision evaluation. This evaluation consists of requirements to examine specific components of a student’s visual system: Amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus(misalignment of the eyes), internal and external health of the eye, and visual acuity. The vision evaluation must be performed by an optometrist (OD), physician (MD), a physician assistant (PA), or an advanced practice registered nurse(APRN).
The school required vision evaluation is important to insure that all students entering Nebraska schools for the first time are prepared to learn. However, the testing and observation components are not complete enough to be considered a comprehensive vision evaluation.
A Comprehensive Vision Examination is a series of tests and observations that measure the health and function of an individual’s visual system. A comprehensive vision evaluation can only be performed by law within the scope of practice by an optometrist (OD) or ophthalmologist (MD).
back to top
Exam and Screening Comparisons
The Elements of a Comprehensive Eye Health Exam and Vision Analysis
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends the following information be gathered and tests be performed during a comprehensive eye examination:
- Chief Complaint
assessment of the patient's reason for getting an eye exam
- General Physical Health History
complete health history to screen for physical conditions and medications that may affect eyesight
- General Ocular Health History
complete eye health history including family history of eye conditions, disease, or medication
- External and Internal Eye Health Evaluation
examination for the signs of eye disorders, including cataracts and other eye disorders
- Current Prescription Analysis
evaluation of current lens prescription, if applicable
- Visual Acuity
test for the eyes' ability to see sharply and clearly at all distances
- Refraction
test for the eyes' ability to focus light rays properly on the retina at distances and close by
- Tonometry
test to measure internal fluid pressure of the eye (increased pressure may be an early sign of glaucoma)
- Visual Coordination
check for external eye muscle balance and coordination
- Accommodative Ability
test of the eyes' ability to change focus from distance to near
An exam may also include tests for color vision and depth perception, visual fields, and other vision skills, as needed.
back to top
Children's Eye Exams
Children should receive their first eye exam at the age of six months, then again when the child turns three. Subsequent exams should be given before the child starts school, then every two years after that. Based on family history or other indicators, your eye care professional may recommend a more frequent exam schedule.
Many eye disorders, including hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), and amblyopia (lazy eye) can occur in early childhood, and may affect your child's ability to learn. A comprehensive eye exam can detect these and other disorders.
In between eye exams, you can take an active role in monitoring your child's vision. For instance, regularly ask your child to describe the way he or she sees objects up close or at a distance (across a room or street). The child may not realize if his or her vision is not clear and sharp.
Additionally, look for the following signs that your child may have vision problems:
- squinting
- one or both eyes turning in, out, up, or down
- head turn or head tilt
- frequent headaches
- inability to copy notes from a blackboard
- reversals of words or letters
- frequent rubbing of eyes or tearing
- eye redness or crusting of eye lids/lashes
- eye pain
- disinterested in close work, such as coloring or reading
- sitting very close to the television (indicating that he/she can't see if made to move back)
back to top
|
