{"id":20060,"date":"2021-12-04T20:58:10","date_gmt":"2021-12-04T20:58:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20060"},"modified":"2021-12-05T08:33:25","modified_gmt":"2021-12-05T08:33:25","slug":"vision-screening-vs-eye-exam-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/vision-for-school\/vision-screening-vs-eye-exam-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Vision Screening vs Eye Exam: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vision screenings do not tell the whole story. Your child may \u2018pass\u2019 a school vision screening, but still have an undiagnosed vision problem<\/b>.<\/h2>\n

Many people don\u2019t realize that vision screenings at school are not the same as the comprehensive eye exam<\/a> a child receives when at the local eye care clinic.<\/p>\n

Vision screenings do not replace a comprehensive eye exam.<\/b><\/p>\n

Eye exams are still required, no matter the results of a school vision screening<\/b>.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s the difference, and why does one not replace the other?<\/p>\n

Vision screenings<\/b><\/h2>\n

Vision screenings<\/a> are a useful tool for simple-to-detect issues like myopia<\/a> (nearsightedness) or severe amblyopia<\/a>, but not nearly as thorough as a comprehensive eye exam.<\/p>\n

Most school-based vision screenings do not detect the majority of vision problems that can make it harder for children to learn in school.<\/b><\/p>\n

Today, learning relies heavily on students having both clear eyesight and strong vision skills<\/a> needed to successfully use computers, read and comprehend texts, do their homework promptly and accurately and perform on exams, among many other essential tasks.<\/p>\n

Issues with vision screenings<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s an outline of some of the main shortcomings of a common vision screening:<\/p>\n

1 Poor testing environment<\/b><\/p>\n

Vision screenings are often done in rooms that do not have the right lighting for testing, with limited equipment that may not have been maintained properly.<\/p>\n

Testing may also be done at non-standardized distances (i.e. too close or too far away). A poorly controlled testing environment can cause results to be unreliable.<\/p>\n

2. Limited equipment<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the main tools of vision screenings is the Snellen vision chart. This chart was invented 150 years ago, and only assesses a person\u2019s distance vision, to see if they have 20\/20 sight.<\/a><\/p>\n

The chart does not assess the type of near vision acuity that a child needs for tasks such as reading<\/a> and writing<\/a>.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Visual skills such as focusing, eye tracking and eye teaming, which are essential for many school activities, also are not assessed with a Snellen chart, and there is no ability to ascertain a child\u2019s overall ocular health using this chart.<\/p>\n

3. Training of the testers<\/b><\/p>\n

Most of the time, the people doing these vision screenings are not trained eye care professionals. They may be school nurses or teachers or are volunteers from the community, or personnel from the school.<\/p>\n

Only eye care professionals have the expertise to properly and reliably conduct these screenings tests and then assess the results with accuracy.<\/b><\/p>\n

In most vision screening, the individuals who carry out school vision screenings lack the technology and equipment to identify visual skills deficits that can impact a child\u2019s school grades.<\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: <\/b>Does Hyperopia Impact Learning?<\/a><\/p>\n

Even if your child \u2018passes\u2019 their school vision screening, schedule a comprehensive eye exam<\/a> with an eye doctor near you<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n\t

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