Why a Full Eye Exam Is Essential: Full Eye Exams vs School Vision Screenings
How Does a Full Exam Differ from Vision Screenings in Schools?
As back-to-school season approaches, it’s essential to ensure your child’s vision is in top shape for the new academic year. While vision screenings are a common practice in schools, they are not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam conducted by an eye care professional. Here’s why a full eye exam is crucial and how it differs from the basic vision screenings your child might receive at school.
What is a Vision Screening?
Vision screenings are brief assessments usually performed by school nurses or volunteers. They primarily check for basic visual acuity—how well your child can see letters on an eye chart from a standard distance. While vision screenings can identify potential issues, they have significant limitations:
- Scope: Screenings typically focus on distance vision and may miss other vision problems.
- Depth: They do not assess eye health, focusing instead on how well your child can see.
- Tools and Time: Conducted quickly with basic tools, they lack the thoroughness of a full exam.
- Follow-Up: If a potential issue is detected, it’s often only the first step, leading to a recommendation for a comprehensive eye exam.
What is a Full Eye Exam?
A full eye exam is a detailed evaluation performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. This exam goes beyond just checking for 20/20 vision and includes:
- Comprehensive Testing: Assessment of visual acuity, eye alignment, depth perception, and color vision.
- Eye Health Evaluation: Examination of the internal and external structures of the eyes, checking for signs of eye diseases or conditions.
- Refraction Test: Determines the exact prescription needed for corrective lenses, if necessary.
- Binocular Vision Assessment: Ensures that both eyes work together effectively.
- Eye Movement and Tracking: Checks how well your child’s eyes can follow moving objects and read across a page.
Why Full Eye Exams Are Important
Regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for detecting issues that school screenings might miss. Undiagnosed vision problems can affect your child’s performance in school, as good vision is essential for reading, writing, and other learning activities. Some issues, like amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (crossed eyes), are best treated when caught early.
Recommendations for Eye Exams
To ensure your child’s eyes are healthy and their vision is optimal for learning, follow these guidelines for eye exams:
- Newborns: A doctor or other trained health professional should examine a newborn’s eyes to check for basic indicators of eye health.
- 6 to 12 months: A second screening should be done during the child’s first year of life. This screening is usually done at a well-child exam between 6 and 12 months.
- 12 to 36 months: Between 12 and 36 months, a child is checked for healthy eye development. This check may include a “photoscreening” test, which looks for problems such as amblyopia (Lazy eye).
- 3 to 5 years old: Between 3 and 5 years, a child’s vision and eye alignment should be checked. Visual acuity (sharpness of vision, like 20/20 for example) should be tested as soon as the child is old enough to read an eye chart.
- 5 years and older: At 5, children should be screened for visual acuity and alignment. Nearsightedness (myopia) is the most common problem in this age group, which is corrected with eyeglasses.
Regular eye exams can identify and address vision issues early, helping your child succeed in school and beyond.
Schedule Your Pediatric Eye Exam Before School Starts!
As you prepare your child for the new school year, don’t forget to include a comprehensive eye exam on your checklist. Ensure your child’s vision is clear and their eyes are healthy by scheduling an appointment with our practice. Contact us or click below to book your pediatric eye exam and give your child the best start to their academic year!
862789 (2024) Eye screening for children, American Academy of Ophthalmology.