Vision Screening for Children

The school years are an important period in a child’s life. During this time, children are introduced to the world of learning and they begin to acquire vital social skills. It is important to check a child’s vision so that development in both these areas will not be inhibited. A regular eye examination by an eye care professional is recommended for all children.

The Illinois Department of Public Health and local health departments offer vision screening to children who are 3 years old through high school. Pre-school aged children are screened for sharpness of vision (visual acuity); children in first grade and older are screened for vision (visual acuity), farsightedness and muscle balance. Second grade students also receive a color deficiency screening.

After the screening the parents are notified of the results; and, if necessary, are referred for an eye examination.

For the past several years the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) and the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness, in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of DuPage County Council have been working on a combined service project for pre-schoolers, who participate in the vision screening program. The Girl Scout troop members make a facsimile of an occluder (instrument used in vision screening) in the shape of a “fish” in various patterns with bright colors. The children are given the hand-made, specially designed “fish” as a gift after their vision screening.

During the past school year (2001-2002), DCHD screened over 13,500 children, ranging from three to five years of age. An additional 36,000 vision screenings were performed on students in kindergarten through high school. Three thousand students were referred for an eye examination. IDPH mandates vision screening for preschool, kindergarten, 2nd and 8th grades. All special education students are screened annually. For more information, contact the ISPB.

The ISPB looks forward to its continued relationship with the DuPage County Health Department and the Girl Scouts of DuPage County Council.

The Visionary, published as a service of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness,
is available upon request. The information contained in this issue,
taken from sources considered to be accurate,
does not replace the need for professional eye care consultations and treatments.

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