School Screenings are NOT a Substitute for a Comprehensive Vision Examination.
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- Although school screenings and pediatric visits are helpful, they only detect 20 to 30 percent of vision problems. Most of the vision skills that have been shown to affect learning are not evaluated, such as eye coordination, eye movement, focusing, and visual perception.
- The only way to know if a child is seeing at their best is through a professional eye examination. Children will not complain of vision problems simply because they don’t know what “normal” vision looks like.
- The earlier a vision problem is detected the more responsive the visual system is to treatment and the more likely a child may avoid or reduce their dependence on glasses later on. Children do not have to know their letters or have good verbal skills to receive a comprehensive exam.
- Vision affects fine motor skills. Children with poor vision can have trouble accomplishing physical tasks that come naturally to other youngsters.
- Vision impairment directly affects learning and the ability to focus on a task.