{"id":1160,"date":"2020-04-20T13:32:11","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T13:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/wordpress\/?page_id=1160"},"modified":"2021-07-14T10:07:33","modified_gmt":"2021-07-14T10:07:33","slug":"are-school-vision-screenings-effective","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/vision-for-school\/are-school-vision-screenings-effective\/","title":{"rendered":"Are School Vision Screenings Reliable?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Many schools conduct vision screenings as a service to try to identify vision problems that may affect their students\u2019 academic performance&#8230; but are they reliable?<\/h2>\n<p>The simple answer is, no. These vision screenings are very limited, and are NOT a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination performed by an eye doctor.<\/p>\n<p>It is crucial for parents to understand that reliance on these school vision screenings can cause many complications for a child\u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-for-school\/are-school-vision-screenings-effective\/\">screenings can only uncover some vision problems<\/a>, such as severe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy-for-lazy-eye\/lazy-eye-faqs\/\">lazy eye<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/what-is-myopia\/\">myopia<\/a>, but <em>cannot<\/em> effectively identify most of the visual problems experienced by children.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A big concern is that parents will believe that passing a vision screening, means that a child has perfect vision. This false belief can inhibit detection and treatment of a true vision problem.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why are vision screenings NOT reliable?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>The learning environment of the 21st century requires that all students have adequate vision for computer use, reading, reading comprehension, writing, homework, examinations, and all other aspects of learning. Unfortunately, school vision screenings simply cannot detect the vision problems that may inhibit success in these areas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A big problem is that parents rely on these basic school vision screenings, and many times will then neglect to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">schedule a comprehensive eye exam<\/a> with an eye doctor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Eye doctors utilize specific clinical tools and assessments to determine the health and visual abilities of the eye.\u00a0 Since much of a child\u2019s academic performance is dependent on their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/the-17-key-visual-skills\/\">visual skills<\/a> (e.g. binocular vision, accurate eye movements, focusing, clear vision and more), doctors recommend that children have a comprehensive eye exam even before reaching school age, and then at least every two years after that.<\/p>\n<p>Regular and comprehensive eye exams are crucial for detecting vision problems \u2014 and essential in facilitating a student\u2019s academic success.<\/p>\n<h3><b>What are the limitations of a vision screening?<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Limited testing.<\/b> The Snellen chart, a 150-year-old test used for vision screenings, only tests distance vision acuity to see if your child has 20\/20 sight.\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The chart does not assess near vision acuity<\/strong>\u2014 many children find reading to be blurry or uncomfortable.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The screening does not test a child\u2019s <strong>visual skills<\/strong> including focusing, eye tracking and the ability of the eyes to work together\u2014 as needed for reading a book or using a computer.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The screening also does not provide any information about a child\u2019s <strong>ocular health<\/strong>. A child could have 20\/20 sight, but still have a serious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/eye-care-for-children\/a-guide-to-childrens-eye-diseases\/\">eye disease<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Untrained personnel.<\/b> Most vision screenings are performed by volunteers or school personnel who are untrained in conducting the screenings, as well as assessing the results.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Inadequate testing environment and equipment.<\/b> Limited testing equipment, non-standardized testing distances, inappropriate room lighting, and inadequate maintenance of screening equipment can all impact test results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\"><strong>Schedule an eye exam<\/strong><\/a> with an eye doctor near you to have your child&#8217;s eyes checked.<\/p>\n<p><strong>SEE RELATED: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/vision-for-school\/are-school-vision-screenings-effective\/do-vision-screenings-assess-functional-vision\/\">Do Vision Screenings Assess Functional Vision?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t<div class=\"practice-search-widget\">\n\t\t<h3>Find an eye doctor for children near you<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t<form class=\"practice-search-form practice-search-form-widget\" action=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/results\/\" method=\"get\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page\" class=\"practice-search-page\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_latitude\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_longitude\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"address\" class=\"practice-search-address\" placeholder=\"City, Surburb or Address\" value=\"\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<button type=\"submit\" class=\"practice-search-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.6796 0.130005C9.15708 0.130059 7.66615 0.5646 6.38198 1.38258C5.09781 2.20057 4.07373 3.36803 3.43004 4.74783C2.78634 6.12763 2.54976 7.66246 2.74808 9.17205C2.9464 10.6816 3.57139 12.1033 4.54964 13.27L0.729639 17.08C0.6364 17.1732 0.562439 17.2839 0.511979 17.4058C0.461519 17.5276 0.435547 17.6581 0.435547 17.79C0.435547 17.9219 0.461519 18.0524 0.511979 18.1743C0.562439 18.2961 0.6364 18.4068 0.729639 18.5C0.917942 18.6883 1.17334 18.7941 1.43964 18.7941C1.5715 18.7941 1.70207 18.7681 1.82389 18.7177C1.94571 18.6672 2.0564 18.5932 2.14964 18.5L5.99964 14.62C7.35406 15.6038 8.98566 16.1324 10.6596 16.13C12.7814 16.13 14.8162 15.2871 16.3165 13.7869C17.8168 12.2866 18.6596 10.2517 18.6596 8.13C18.6596 6.00827 17.8168 3.97344 16.3165 2.47315C14.8162 0.97286 12.7814 0.130005 10.6596 0.130005H10.6796ZM10.6796 14.13C9.49295 14.13 8.33291 13.7781 7.34622 13.1188C6.35952 12.4595 5.59049 11.5225 5.13636 10.4261C4.68224 9.32975 4.56342 8.12335 4.79493 6.95946C5.02644 5.79558 5.59788 4.72648 6.437 3.88736C7.27611 3.04825 8.34521 2.4768 9.5091 2.24529C10.673 2.01378 11.8794 2.1326 12.9757 2.58673C14.0721 3.04085 15.0092 3.80989 15.6685 4.79658C16.3277 5.78328 16.6796 6.94332 16.6796 8.13C16.6796 9.7213 16.0475 11.2474 14.9223 12.3726C13.7971 13.4979 12.2709 14.13 10.6796 14.13Z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"practice-search-use-my-location\">\n\t\t\tSearch near me\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\n\t<\/form>\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<h2><b>What happens if a vision problem goes u<\/b><b>ndetected<\/b><b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>According to research, 80 percent of learning is based on processing information through the visual system.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>That being said, it is critical to understand that vision screenings do not suffice as adequate tests of visual acuity and functional vision skills.<\/p>\n<p>The National Parent Teacher Association has reported that over 10 million children in the U.S. suffer from vision problems that can affect learning success.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The College of Vision Development (COVD) estimates that 25 percent of all school children in the U.S. have vision problems.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>However, according to research, <i>only 10 percent<\/i> of children ages 9 to 15 years who needed eyeglasses, actually received them. Vision problems are one of the most common, handicapping conditions in childhood. Undetected vision problems can inhibit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/guide-vision-and-learning-difficulties\/vision-and-learning-difficulties-faqs\/\">academic success<\/a>, and even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy-for-children\/vision-skills-for-sports\/\">athletic performance<\/a>.<b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>What happens if a child fails a school vision screening?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>If your child \u2018fails\u2019 a school vision screening, they may have a serious eye condition such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/what-is-myopia\/\">myopia<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy-for-lazy-eye\/amblyopia-lazy-eye\/\"> lazy eye<\/a> or even an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/a-guide-to-eye-turns\/strabismus-crossed-eyes\/strabismus-faqs\/\">eye turn<\/a>. It is therefore essential to act quickly and schedule an appointment with your local eye doctor.<\/p>\n<p>It has been estimated that up to 67 percent of children who fail school vision screenings, do not receive a comprehensive eye exam or vision care from an eye doctor.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Regular eye exams<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Comprehensive and regular eye exams are the only effective measure of ocular and visual health. When vision problems are not detected in childhood, they can significantly affect a person throughout their whole life.<\/p>\n<p>The fact is, vision problems do not go away on their own, and unfortunately, if untreated, children will grow into adults with vision problems. The American Optometrists Association recommends that a child should receive a comprehensive eye exam before starting school and then at least every two years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>LEARN MORE:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/vision-for-school\/\">Vision for School<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>If you have any concerns regarding your child\u2019s vision or their academic performance,\u00a0 it is vital that you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">schedule an appointment<\/a> with an eye doctor\u2014 even if your child has \u2018passed\u2019 a school vision screening.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many schools conduct vision screenings as a service to try to identify vision problems, but are they reliable? The simple answer is, no. These vision screenings are very limited, and are not a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination performed by an eye doctor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1219,"parent":1385,"menu_order":123,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-article.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[85,148,186,217,113,102,90,145,124,115,101],"class_list":["post-1160","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-children","tag-eye-exams","tag-focusing","tag-hyperopia","tag-lazy-eye","tag-learning","tag-myopia","tag-screening","tag-sports","tag-strabismus","tag-visual-skills"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Are School Vision Screenings Reliable? - Optometrists.org<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/vision-for-school\/are-school-vision-screenings-effective\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Are School Vision Screenings Reliable? - Optometrists.org\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Many schools conduct vision screenings as a service to try to identify vision problems, but are they reliable? 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