Maintaining eye health is very important for school-aged children since 80 percent of learning in the classroom is visual, according to Vison Learning Centers of America. Unfortunately, up to 10 percent of preschoolers and 25 percent of school-aged children have vision problems[1]. Refractive errors are the most common causes of vision problems in children, including hyperopia, astigmatism, myopia, and asymmetric refractive errors (anisometropia). [2]
Regular vision screening can be crucial, because it helps detect the potential vision problems at an early stage when treatment is more likely to be effective.[3] According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommended schedule, vision screening start around age 3 and occur each year at ages 4 and 5. After age 5, the AAO recommends screening every 1 to 2 years.
Vision screening can be conducted by physicians, nurses, other health care providers, and trained lay persons. If an eye condition is suspected, a referral can be made to an appropriate eye care professional for further evaluation and treatment.
The Recommendation for Instrument-based Vision Screening
An instrument-based vision screener is a device that can help identify the presence and magnitude of refractive error. An instrument-based vision screener is quick to perform and requires minimal cooperation from the child[4], hence, it can be used with children who are unable or unwilling to cooperate with routine vision screening[5]. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that children undergo instrument-based vision screening at least once between the ages of 3 to 5 years. [6]
Easy Refraction Screening Solution for Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime
To achieve more efficient vision screening, Moptim developed the easyRef auto Refractometer. easyRef is a handheld, portable device that uses wavefront technology (Shack-Hartmann) to objectively measure refractive errors within just seconds.
Advanced Wavefront Examination
A targeted beam of light will be shined into the patient's eye and focusing it on the retina, then a sensor will measure the wavefront pattern reflected back through the eye’s vitreous, lens, pupil and cornea. The distortion of light waves represents specific vision errors of the patient's eyes, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Less Requirement for Exam Environment
The easyRef can precisely measure refractive errors of patients from 6 months old through adults, with no constraint on the light environment of the examination room, it works in normal light conditions. Also, easyRef covers -10 to +10 diopters, which addresses the needs of majority of patient populations.
Reference:
[1] Children’s Eye Foundation. A Practical Guide for Primary Care Physicians: Instrument-Based Vision Screening in Children. Accessed January 23, 2019.
[2] American Academy of Ophthalmology. Pediatric Eye Evaluations Preferred Practice Pattern https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(17)32958-5/pdf
[3] Prevent Blindness Wisconsin. Understanding Vision Screenings and Eye Examinations. https://wisconsin.preventblindness.org/understanding-vision-screenings-and-eye-examinations/ Accessed January 3, 2019.
[4] National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health. National Vision Screening Guidelines: Instrument-Based Vision Screening. https://nationalcenter.preventblindness.org/instrument-based-vision-screening/
[5] Department of Health. Instrument Based Vision Screening: Overview and Recommendations. https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/childrenyouth/ctc/visionscreen/screening.html
[6] US Preventive Services Task Force. Vision in Children Ages 6 Months to 5 Years: Screening. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/vision-in-children-ages-6-months-to-5-years-screening
[7] AAPOS. Vison Screening https://aapos.org/glossary/vision-screening-description
中
