Vision testing in preschool children

[S.Judi]

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Hello
I am an orthoptics student. I have an assessment on assessing ion in preschoolers in which I'm struggling with. Could someone please help if you guys have any ideas/suggestion ??

What are some of the challenges that may be associated with the examination of a preschool aged (4 year old) child’s visual acuity? How might you modify your communication, behaviour and testing method to cope with these challenges?

Thank you

 

[mathcod]

http://eyewiki.aao.org/Pediatric_Vision_Screening

 

[Bettner Vision]

Children can be more susceptible than adults to certain conditions because of the fact that they're usually more active and outdoors, playing in dirt, etc. Here is how we handle children in our office: http://www.bettnervision.com/your-eye-health/childrens-vision/vision-therapy-for-children

 

[HazelBrown]

It is important to test vision in preschool itself, so that some other problem may not occur in future. At preschool children starts their evolution. To know more you can visit here.

 

[autumn22]

Hello
I am an orthoptics student. I have an assessment on assessing ion in preschoolers in which I'm struggling with. Could someone please help if you guys have any ideas/suggestion ??

What are some of the challenges that may be associated with the examination of a preschool aged (4 year old) child’s visual acuity? How might you modify your communication, behaviour and testing method to cope with these challenges?

Thank you

Hi S. Judi,

I am no optometrist but I did work for an eye clinic for year as a vision screener and we worked primarily with preschoolers ages 2.5-5. I also shadowed the 2 pediatric optometrists.

The hardest thing during the the vision screening and the exam was keeping the child's focus. They literally have the attention span of a preschooler. You have to entertain the child and make it worth their while. We usually bribe them with stickers (give it to them when they are done with the VA's, not before). They LOVE stickers! Also, introduce yourself and ask them their name and age to make them feel more comfortable.

A lot of the kids didn't know their alphabet so we had to teach them the few letters or shapes they needed to know to take their VA's. This step is important in order for the doctor to do his/her job. Give them high fives if they get a letter or shape right. Positive reinforcement works! (i.e. Good Job! Awesome! Give me a high five! You're the best! you get the idea)

I don't know if you'll use an autorefractor but if you do, have them look for a cartoon character. We have them look for Cinderella, Dora the Explorer, Batman, Spiderman, Elmo etc. (ask them what cartoon they like and use that to your advantage). When they don't see the characters, we tell the kids that their friends are "sleeping" but good try!

Hope that helps!