WPSU Short: Children’s Eye Screenings Don’t Tell the Whole Story

When children pass routine eye screenings administered by their school nurse or pediatrician, it can create a false sense of security that leaves certain issues undiagnosed. That’s because screenings typically check distance vision whereas a full eye exam assess functions like visual acuity, eye tracking, convergence, and ocular health, among other things. These exams can identify a number of issues like spasms, farsightedness, and lack of eye coordination, which can impact learning and academic performance. Some studies have found that as many as 40% of students diagnosed with a learning disability actually have a vision issue, not a learning disability. In this WPSU short, Dr. Tracy Sepich, an optometrist at Restore Eye Care and Eye Gym, explains the importance of routine eye exams, especially for school-aged children, and the benefits of proper treatment. Watch here.