Why Screen
Importance of Screening
As much as 80% of early learning is obtained visually. A child who cannot see well is at an obvious disadvantage in the classroom. One of every 10 or so school-age children has a vision problem, but parents usually don’t suspect it.
Most children with vision problems do not complain about poor vision because they have no way of knowing their vision is not normal. To them, it is “normal” because it is the only vision they have known. Good vision is important for academic success and social development. Undetected early vision problems can have long-lasting consequences, with links to social and emotional problems, academic problems leading to at-risk students and juvenile delinquency, and adult literacy problems.
Around 10% of all children have an eye problem significant enough to warrant professional attention.
2-4% of all children have problems that can indicate or lead to amblyopia (“lazy eye”), which can cause permanent vision impairment if not detected and treated early enough.
Less than 25% of preschool-age children are currently screened for vision problems.
60% of children with literacy challenges have undiagnosed vision problems.
Consequences of Not Screening
Disadvantage in Education
Children who cannot see well start their education at a disadvantage. And those who start behind often stay behind. They have to work harder just to get back to “even”, and they can consume a disproportionate share of teachers’ time.
Emotional, Physical & Social Impacts
In addition to causing difficulties in the classroom, impaired vision can affect a child’s emotional, physical, and social development by limiting the range of experiences and kinds of information to which the child is exposed.
Risk of Dropout
Children who continue to lag in their education can later become at risk of failing or dropping out. Substantial additional funding is spent each year to help these students. Carrying it a step further, a disproportionately high percentage of juvenile delinquents have uncorrected vision problems.
Attention & Learning Issues
Sometimes, vision problems can look like attention or learning issues. Children who struggle with reading, skip or reread lines, take longer to finish homework, or have trouble focusing up close may be misdiagnosed with ADD/ADHD or labeled as having special needs—when the real issue is their eyesight. A simple vision screening can make all the difference.
Literacy Impacts
Vision problems that continue into adulthood also contribute to the one in five American adults who are functionally illiterate.
Whoooo had their eyes screened?
The early detection and correction of vision problems has both immediate and life-long benefits for both the child and for society as a whole. Conversely, uncorrected vision problems have significant short-term and long-term individual and societal costs.
