Children's Vision Screening

Last year, we screened over 22,000  children for possible vision problems.  But you may be asking why is there a need for Children’s Vision Screening?  Here are some quick facts you may or may not be aware of...

• One in four school-age children has a vision problem.

• One in twenty pre-school age children has a vision problem.

• Some of these vision problems can lead to permanent vision loss if not detected and treated early.

• Vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in the United States.

• Nearly 80% of all learning during a child’s first twelve years is through vision.

• 86% of children (approximately 166,155 in Iowa) will not receive a comprehensive eye exam prior to entering school

• 74% of juvenile delinquents had failed at least one vision test.

Even though Prevent Blindness Iowa has reached thousands of Iowans through our screening and education programs, much remains to be done.  Iowans are still suffering from vision problems that could be prevented.  Vision problems, such as amblyopia, in young children often go undetected until the damage is irreversible and partial sight is lost.  But, if detected and treated early, nearly 50% of all vision problems can be prevented.

Prevent Blindness Iowa vision screenings are conducted according to protocols established by leading experts in children’s eye care.  All children participate in a distance visual acuity screening, the best single test to detect vision problems.  The children are also screened for strabismus, or muscle imbalance, using the Random Dot “E” stereopsis test.  This test determines whether or not the eyes are working together.  A child who fails the stereopsis test is at greater risk for strabismus.  It is recommended for children under 10 who have passed a visual acuity test.   

This program is targeted towards preschool children in licensed preschools and day care centers throughout Central Iowa.  The children will benefit by a free vision screening to catch potential vision problems before it is too late.  Prevent Blindness will offer MTI photoscreening and visual acuity screenings on-site to preschoolers at licensed day care centers and preschools.  The target population of this project is children ages 2 to 6. 

Due to costs, the MTI Photoscreener is only used with children who would not otherwise be able to be screened, for example:  infants, preverbal children and developmentally disabled children.   The photoscreener uses a flash to produce a reflection from within the eyes of the child capturing the retinal reflex.  The size, shape and location of this reflex can be examined in the photos to detect problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and misaligned eyes.

Good follow-up procedures enable us to know if children referred for a possible eye problem visit with their eye care professional for a complete eye exam.  For each child referred for further examination, Prevent Blindness volunteers and staff follow-up with the daycare or preschool director and/or the parent.

Prevent Blindness Iowa would like to thank the following organizations for their generous support of our Children's Vision Screening Programs:

Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
Des Moines, Iowa

Principal Financial Group
Des Moines, Iowa

Prairie Meadows Race Track & Casino
Altoona, Iowa