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1 in 20 preschoolers has a vision problem

Undetected and uncorrected vision problems can lead to serious difficulties for a child

Children are often unaware of their vision problem

85% of amblyopia cases are not detected until after the preschool years

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are required by North Carolina Law

detect and prevent serious lifelong and irreversible vision problems

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Health professionals typically administer an antibiotic ointment, such as erythromycin, to prevent infection.

Within a short period of time, (s)he will begin to focus on objects less than a foot away, such as mom’s face when nursing.

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Two months: Learning to look Normal to not have eyes track together Some tearing normal – drainage ducts

open? Activity:

moving a child’s arms or legs simultaneously, as parents tend to do naturally, is helpful in fostering appropriate bilateral and binocular development.

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4-6 months First optometrist visit Tests for excessive near/far sight,

astigmatism, evaluate eye alignment. 8-12 months

Use both eyes to judge distances Throw objects with precision

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Strabismus (Misalignment of eyes)

results from eye muscles not working together

may be constant, come and go, or alternate from one eye to the other

affects 3-5% of children

if uncorrected, strabismus can result in amblyopia (loss of vision)

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Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) reduced vision in an eye not adequately used during

early childhood

is NOT OBSERVABLE; must screen both eyes to find this condition

affects 2-5% of general population

if untreated by age 6, permanent vision loss is likely

treatment involves patching the good eye to re-train the brain to accept images from the affected eye

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Does your child seem to see well?

Does your child hold objects close to his or her face when trying to focus?

Do your child’s eyes ever appear unusual?

Do your child’s eyes appear straight or do they seem to cross, drift, or seem “lazy”?

Do your child’s eyelids droop or does one eyelid tend to close?

Have your child’s eyes ever been injured?

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A - appearance and structure of the eyes appear normal

B - behavior of the child appears normal

C - child complains of eye problems

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eye redness or discharge swelling of the eyelids eye crossing or misalignment eyes “jiggle” protruding eyes drooping eyelids presence of white pupil non-round pupils

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constant head tilt or face turn squinting rubbing eyes excessively closing or covering one eye holding objects close to eyes blinking excessively

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headaches blurry vision double vision eyes itch, burn or feel scratchy unusual sensitivity to light

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Acuity screenings are the primary measure of visual systems and determine

if there is a need for refractive correction

if amblyopia is suspected

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10 ft Lea Symbol (3-5 yrs)

10 ft HOTV Letter (6 yrs and older)

Chart should have 20/25 line

NOTE: The most challenging chart the child is able to accomplish should be used

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Does child know letters/symbols on the Lea or HOTV chart?

With both eyes open, have the child practice naming letters/symbols at top of chart and on practice line

Make sure child understands how to respond

Use the card to play a “matching game” if child is unable to name

letters/ symbols

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Child should occlude one eye and begin reading on practice line

Watch for “cheating” such as squinting, tilting the head sideways or “peeking” from behind occluder

To pass a line, child must correctly identify one more than half the symbols on that line

Record visual acuity as the smallest line the child was able to pass

Repeat for other eye24

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Stereopsis is simultaneous visual perception by the eyes

When the brain is able to blend the separate images from each eye into one image, the child perceives three-dimensional space and is said to have good stereopsis

Stereopsis screening is recommended for Kindergarten through grade 3 or up to age 9

The child who fails the stereopsis screening is at great risk for amblyopia or loss of vision, in one eye

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The star is visible to ALL children, even if they do not have binocular vision

The other figures (moon, elephant and jeep/truck) require binocular vision to see

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There are four figures There are four figures on the card:on the card:

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Assure the child he/she performed well

The parent, if present for the screening, will likely be aware of whether the child passed or not

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challenge individuals, communities, and professionals—indeed, all of us—to take specific steps to improve the eye health of people living in the United States through prevention, early detection, timely treatment, and rehabilitation.

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We must all sit at the table of the public health community as equal and respected partners for the benefit of future generations.

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