Early Identification of Children’s Vision Problems is Essential!
Vision is the primary sense used for learning in the early years. Approximately 80 percent of what a child learns is learned visually. Early detection and treatment of vision disorders are important to maximize a child’s visual potential. The longer eye conditions are left untreated, the more likely they are to worsen, affecting learning ability, athletic performance and self esteem.
Young children who lack the benefits of having good vision also do not have the appropriate social and academic readiness skills that are of utmost importance for success in school.
Children under the age of six who do not receive proper and regular vision screenings and eye examinations are at risk of facing a lifetime of vision loss due to several common and correctable visual difficulties. Amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes), if not detected and treated early enough, can cause loss of vision. Fortunately, if these diseases are detected and treated before the age of six, their blinding effects can be reversed. Sadly however, if the problem is found too late, little effective treatment is available, and the child is faced with living his/her life with only one good eye (monocular vision).
Become a Certified Children’s Vision Screener and Change a Child’s Future!
Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate conducts children’s vision screening trainings for healthcare professionals, community volunteers and educators. The training includes:
- Instruction on how to perform stereopsis and distance visual acuity screening
- Detailed information on childhood eye diseases and disorders
- Information on how to set up a screening area in a primary care office or child care environment
- Resources and recommendations for follow up of referred children
- Hands-on practicum with the screening equipment
- Children’s Vision Screening Guide for Healthcare Professionals Manual: published in partnership with Prevent Blindness America and the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Children’s Vision Screening Guidelines: published by the Ohio Department of Health
- Information on CPT Reimbursement Code #99173 and eye care referral resources
Maintaining Your Children’s Vision Screening Certification
The Prevent Blindness children’s vision screening certification program requires that vision screeners trained and certified by Prevent Blindness/Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate must re-certify after a period of three years from the date of their initial training and certification. If you are due to recertify, click here for information on how to complete your recertification process.