MESSAGE FOR PARENTS!!
 

I have always emphasized that all children prior to starting school should have an complete eye exam. School vision screening do not count. Eyes should be examined by an Optometrist or
Ophthalmologist. Here is two examples of people that agree on my perspective. Here is an email I received from the author below.
 

Landmark New Study:

Eye Exams and Vision Screenings

Dear Friend, I am writing in order to provide you with a copy of Eye Exams for Children: Their Impact and Cost Effectiveness, a study by Abt Associates of Cambridge, Mass.  Authored by economist Alan J. White, Ph.D., the goal was to estimate the impact and cost effectiveness of providing comprehensive eye exams to all preschool-age children.  It was sponsored by the Vision Council of America and developed with an advisory panel that included experts in ophthalmology, pediatric medicine, optometry and public health. The study reached the following conclusions: (1) Universal preschool eye exams would diagnose and successfully treat more children than vision screenings – For example, it is estimated that a universal eye exam program would successfully treat 33,000 more children than a universal vision screening program, a 144% gain in the number of children receiving successful treatment. (2) Universal preschool eye exams are highly cost effective – For example, universal eye exams were found to be more cost effective than tobacco prevention programs, cochlear implants, screening for diabetes, depression or hypertension, liver, heart and lung transplants, driver- and dual-side airbags and many other health interventions. “It has long been the medical community’s view that vision screening is the best way to identify children with vision-threatening amblyopia,” said Chicago-based ophthalmologist and Northwestern University professor Susan J. Taub, MD.  “This study proves that eye exams are not only better at saving sight, but one of the most cost-effective interventions available.  The medical community should embrace eye exams, not oppose them.” The executive summary and the complete report are available by clicking the following links: Executive Summary (5 pages) - http://www.visionsite.org/s_vision/pdfs/costeffectivenessexecsum.pdf Complete Report (65 pages) - http://www.visionsite.org/s_vision/pdfs/costeffectivenessfinal.pdf A copy of the news release being issued today is located below my signature.  Please contact me if you have any questions or comments about this report.  Thank you. Joseph LaMountain Vice President, Strategic Communications Vision Council of America 1700 Diagonal Road #500 Alexandria, VA 22314

Known Landmark Study: Undetected vision problems can  lead to difficulties in school   According to research published in the Journal of Behavioral Optometry by Roger Johnson, Ph.D. of Old Dominion University and Joel Zaba, M.A., O.D, there is a significant relationship between undetected vision problems and reading, learning and behavioral difficulties. About 80% of learning in a child's first 12 years comes through the eyes. Some children are labeled "learning disabled" or "trouble-makers," when all they need is an eye exam and appropriate vision correction. Good vision is fundamental to reading; it is vital to seeing such learning tools as the chalkboard, visual aids and videos. In short, good vision is as essential to learning as the ABC's. Unlike a comprehensive exam, a simple vision screening — a distance vision test using a Snellen chart — only identifies 5% of vision problems in children, according to the American Foundation for Vision Awareness. While these vision screenings are useful for offering an early indication of problems relating to distance eyesight, they miss other critical vision deficiencies that can impact a child's eye health, development and school and learning performance. However, a comprehensive eye exam measures a number of visual skills that are critical to a child's healthy vision, such as using both eyes as a team, the ability of the eyes to focus properly when reading a book, or viewing a computer, and the ability of the eyes to move properly when reading across a page of print. "Making a child's first test a vision test will prepare children to enter school ready to gain the knowledge and skills that will remain with them their entire lives," said Dr. Zaba. "How well a child can see will have a great impact on how much and/or how quickly they will learn." Look for these five telltale signs of poor vision in your child:   Squinting, closing or covering one eye; excessive blinking or rubbing of the eyes Dislike and/or avoidance of close work; short attention span; frequent daydreaming Placing the head close to a book when reading; losing place while reading Complaints of headaches, nausea and dizziness; excessive clumsiness Turning or tilting the head to one side If you notice any of these symptoms, make sure your child sees an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye examination. Keep in mind that not all problems can be diagnosed by you or a school nurse; only an eye doctor has the training and equipment to catch everything.

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