2014 Vision Screening Guidelines Near Vision Hyperopia Testing

2014 Vision Screening Guidelines Near Vision (Hyperopia) Testing

Stephanie Grabowski, O. D. � www. nebraska. aoa. org � www. nechildrensvision. org

Vision Screening – used to make a general categorization of those being examined (i. e. school screenings) Vision Assessment – use of a series of defined tests to draw inferences about the health and function of the visual system (i. e. See to Learn) School Vision Evaluation – required of all Kindergarten and students new to the school system prior to entering school. • OD, MD, PA, APRN • Visual Acuity, Amblyopia, Strabismus, Internal and External Health Comprehensive Vision Evaluation – series of tests and observations used to measure the health and function of an individual’s visual system

2014 Vision Screening Guidelines Distance Vision Testing Required for Kindergarten, 1 st-4 th, 7 th and 10 th grades No significant changes to testing procedures Testing Tips Make sure testing distance is appropriate for the chart For younger ages, pre-screen if necessary using larger letters Test monocularly Observe to make sure the child doesn’t try to cheat by peeking around the cover Observe behaviors (squinting, avoidance of covering one eye, looking around) Test each eye to threshhold

2014 Vision Screening Guidelines Near Vision Testing (Hyperopia testing) Required for all children in the 1 st and 3 rd grade Really is a test for hyperopia (farsightedness) Easily follows the distance vision testing Adds little time to the screening process Repeat distance testing with +2. 50 reading flipper

Why Test for Near Vision and Hyperopia? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 20 -25% of children ages 5 through 14 have vision problems that require professional treatment. Of all vision problems, ages 6 months to 6 years, 33% are caused by hyperopia (myopia is 9. 4%). Of all vision problems age 6 to 18 years, 23% are caused by hyperopia (myopia is 20. 2%). Less than 50% of the children with a clinically significant visual disorder will be identified by the use of a distance visual acuity test alone. 4 th and 5 th graders spend 54% of their time on near point reading and writing tasks. An additional 21% is spent on near to far tasks. 63% of Nebraska children entering Kindergarten were found to have hyperopia. Only 7. 7% had myopia. Over 19% of Nebraska children entering Kindergarten were found to have an eye condition that required the need for glasses.

Hyperopia Testing Procedure 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Assemble the required equipment 1. Eye chart with accurate floor distance measurement 2. +2. 50 diopter lenses or flippers 3. Occluder After completing the distance vision testing, instruct the child to remain in place and briefly close or rest the eyes Instruct the child in the proper use of the lenses or flippers Have the child hold the +2. 50 diopter lenses or flippers in front of both eyes or the eye to be tested and occlude the other eye Ask the child to read the letters on the 20/30 line Correct recognition of more than half the letters on the 20/30 line, viewed through the +2. 50 diopter lenses or flippers constitutes a non -passing result. Record the results Rescreen and notify per local school policy

REMEMBER: If the child easily reads the 20/30 line they FAIL If the child struggles to read or cannot read the 20/30 line they PASS

Recommended Additional Testing Stereopsis • • Used to determine if the two eyes are working together A child who doesn’t pass the stereopsis test is a risk for developing amblyopia (lazy eye) Recommended for ages 3 through 9 Random Dot E cards

Recommended Additional Testing Color Vision • • • Used to detect a suspected color deficiency in a child Usually initiated by the teacher or parent Important to know for learning as some tasks can be color coded Color deficiencies are typically more common in boys Can screen binocular

Questions? ? ?

1633 Normandy Court, Suite A Lincoln, NE 68512 (402) 474 -7716 noa@assocoffice. net www. nebraska. aoa. org

1633 Normandy Court, Suite A Lincoln, NE 68512 (402) 474 -7716 nfcv@assocoffice. net www. nechildrensvision. org Mary Lauritzen, President Neil Powell, NFCV Consultant Family Vision Center Office Manager 101 W. Decatur PO Box 367 West Point, NE 68788 402 -372 -3266 (work) 402 -372 -5736 (fax) marydv@cableone. net 5808 Brittany Place Lincoln, NE 68516 402 -474 -2242 402 -420 -2541 fax (work) Npowell 002@neb. rr. com

Stephanie Grabowski, O. D. Family Eyecare Clinic 401 N Eddy St Grand Island, NE 68802 (308)384 -6922 624 Howard St St Paul, NE 68873 (308) 754 -5609 drgrabowski@fecvision. com www. fecvision. com