What Should You Do If Your Child Fails The School Vision Screening?
So, your child has failed the vision screening at school. As parents, it's natural to be concerned when your child comes home with a note that says they didn't pass. While it might seem alarming, it's important to remember that a failed screening doesn't necessarily mean a serious problem. Here's what you need to know and what steps to take next.
Don't Panic
A school vision screening is a basic test to identify children with vision problems. It's not a comprehensive eye exam, so a failure doesn't confirm the presence of a severe condition. After a failed screening, the next step is to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist.
A thorough eye exam by a primary eye care professional can provide a clearer picture of your child's eye health and vision needs. Optometrists use different tools and techniques to evaluate visual acuity and how well the eyes work together as a team, focusing ability, visual alignment, eye tracking skills, color vision, and the eyes' overall health.
What Eye Doctors Look For
During the eye exam, the doctor will check for various conditions affecting your child's vision. Here are some common issues they will investigate:
Refractive Errors include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism (blurred vision at all distances). These conditions affect how light is focused on the retina; eyeglasses or contact lenses can often correct them.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): This condition occurs when one or both eyes are not seeing normally, often due to eye alignment problems (Strabismus) or refractive errors. Early treatment is crucial for effective management.
Strabismus: Also known as an eye turn (inward, outward, up, or down), strabismus is a condition in which the eyes do not align properly. It can affect depth perception and overall vision quality.
Eye Health Issues: The doctor will also look for signs of other eye health problems, such as infections, inflammation, or more serious conditions like retinal disorders.
Visual Processing Problems: These issues can affect how the brain processes visual information, impacting learning and daily activities.
Early detection and treatment provide the best opportunity to treat and correct vision problems to help children see clearly. According to Dr. Ogden, "Good vision doesn't just happen. A child's brain learns how to use its eyes to see. The longer a vision problem goes undiagnosed and untreated, the more a child's brain has to overcompensate to live with the vision problem instead of developing and learning normally."
Finding the Right Solution
Our Downtown Vision team is here to help - from diagnosis by the Optometrist, who will determine if your child needs glasses or contact lenses, to our team of opticians, who will help you and your child pick out the best glasses for them to our contact lens specialists, who will teach your child how to insert and remove contact lenses properly.
Children's glasses come in a variety of fun and durable frames. Finding the right pair can significantly impact your child's comfort and vision. For those needing more specialized care or ongoing treatment, your eye doctor will provide a comprehensive plan to address the issue. They'll work with you to ensure your child's vision is well-managed and that any necessary follow-up care is in place.
A failed school vision screening is an opportunity to address potential vision problems early on. Without healthy vision, students can face unnecessary challenges in the classroom and their mental, physical, social, and emotional well-being. By scheduling a comprehensive eye exam, you're taking a proactive step to ensure your child's visual health. With the proper care, your child's vision can be improved, helping them to excel both in and out of the classroom.
If you have any concerns or need to schedule an appointment, contact us today. Our team at Downtown Vision is here to provide the comprehensive care your child needs for healthy, happy eyes.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/child-eye-exam
https://www.optometrists.org/childrens-vision/guide-to-childrens-eye-exams/pediatric-eye-exams-2/
