Vision Screening

Dr. Liza Joan G. Santos

 What is Vision Screening?

• Vision Screening is a fast, efficient and

systematic method to identify children who are at
risk of developing vision problems and require
further examinations by an eye care professional.

• Note: Vision screening is NOT a diagnostic

procedure.
 WHY - Vision Screen?

• Children DON’T KNOW that they have poor vision

until they go to school and find that other children
have no difficulty seeing what they can’t see. They
think that the world is naturally “blurry” because
things have been that way since they were born.

• When one of the child’s eyes has poor vision but the
other eye can see well, the child DOESN’T KNOW
that this eye has poor vision, until he is tested or
something happens to the good eye.
• Mis-aligned eyes (“duling” and “banlag”) can be easily seen when
they manifest all the time. HOWEVER, THERE ARE CASES
OF INTERMITTENT MISALIGNMENT, which can only be
seen when the child is tested.
• Children with poor vision DON’T COMPLAIN about vision
problems, BUT THEY MAY BE PERFORMING POORLY IN
SCHOOL.
• Visual impairments limit the ability of the pupils to engage with
other students, and are less likely to participate in classroom
activities thus affecting their growth and maturity.

• s
 When to Screen?

• In the Philippine setting with the implementation of

the K-12 program, vision screening can be optimized
when performed during kindergarten, when the pupil
is at least 5-6 years old.
• Vision screening is done only once in a calendar year.
• Vision screening done at this age can lead to early
detection of visual problems at a manageable stage.
The Eye
Is the CORNEA CLEAR?
Is the PUPIL BLACK?
Is the SCLERA WHITE?
Do the EYELIDS OPEN AND
CLOSE properly?
Do the EYELASHES POINT
AWAY from the eye?
Do the EYES appear STRAIGHT?
Is the VISION NORMAL?
 7 Rules for Recognizing
Healthy Eyes
• Rule #1: The CORNEA should be CLEAR.
• Rule #2: The PUPIL should be BLACK.
• Rule #3: The SCLERA should be WHITE.
• Rule #4: The EYELIDS should OPEN AND CLOSE
properly.
• Rule #5: The EYELASHES should POINT AWAY from the
eye.
• Rule #6: The EYES should appear STRAIGHT.
• Rule #7: The VISION should be NORMAL.
 Prepare for Vision Screening

PLAN

1. Arrange a meeting.
2. Determine number of pupils to be screened and
number of staff needed. (Trained and Certified
Screener, Recorder and Marshall).
3. Give considerations to pupils with learning and
physical disabilities.
 Prepare for Vision Screening

4. Identify an appropriate space as screening site.

-A quiet space, with at least 20ft/6M of testing
distance.
-A well-lit room, free from any glare.

5. Set the screening dates and time.

 Prepare for Vision Screening

Screening Checklist
• Vision Screening Kit
• Reading Charts – distance and near
• Occluder
• 20ft./6M string
• Record Sheets
• Referral Form
 Prepare for Vision Screening

Screening Checklist

• Chairs for the screener, recorder and pupil to be

screened.
• Anti-bacterial Wipes to clean Equipment in between
uses.
• Chairs for Pupils who are waiting for their turn
outside the screening area.
 SCREENING AREA
Snellen Chart WAITING
and Screener
AREA

20 feet

Recorder
Pupil Marshall
SCREENING AREA
Forms
 Vision Screening

Interview -Complaints
• Headaches
• Eye Pain
• Nausea & Dizziness
• Burning, Scratchy or Itchy Eyes
• Blurred or Double Vision
• Unusual sensitivity to light
 Vision Screening

• Interview – Family History

• Blindness
• Poor Vision
• Abnormal Eye Position
 Vision Screening

• GENERAL OBSERVATION
• SQUINTING
 Vision Screening
• Light Reflex Test
Visual Acuity

Far Near

Right Eye

Left Eye
 Tips for Vision Screeners

• Do a pre-screen on yourself or another adult to

make sure that the lighting is adequate.
• Request the assistance of a familiar person or a
support person in interacting with the pupil.
• Make the screening a positive experience for the
child.
• Always ask questions a child can understand.
 Tips for Vision Screener

• Be Patient, do not be in a hurry.

• Provide positive comments about the child's
performance, regardless of whether the child
identifies the symbol correctly or incorrectly.
• Avoid use words such as “test,” “failed” or “passed”,
so as not to scare the child
 Vision Screening
 Recording:
 Place a check on Referral Box if:
There is a check mark on General Observation
Visual Acuity results:
Far 20/40 or bigger;
Near: 20/25 or bigger
Letter to Parents regarding abnormalities
Parent’s Consent for the eye examination
 Post Screening Activities
HALIMBAWA – SULAT SA MGA MAGULANG – (LETTER TO PARENTS/ CONSENT )

Mahal na Magulang,

Batay sa resulta ng vision screening na ginawa sa ating paaralan, inaabisuhan namin

kayong kailangang maipasuri ang mga mata ng inyong anak sa mga dalubhasa sa mata o
Optometrist. Maaari ring dalhin ang inyong anak sa kakilala ninyong Optometrist na
malapit sa inyong lugar.

Maari din pong patingnan ang inyong anak sa Optometrist na pupunta sa ating
paaralan sa nalalapit na panahon. Kung inyong pinapayagan ang inyong anak na dito mag
patingin, maaari lang po sanang lumagda sa papel at ipabalik sa Guro ng inyong anak.

Kung kayo ay mayroong mga katanungan, maaari ninyo akong kausapin o ang punong
guro ng paaralan.

____________________________
Pangalan ng Guro at Lagda
 PAGPAYAG NG MAGULANG (PARENT’S INFORMED CONSENT)

Mahal kong Guro at Mga Doktor,

Ako po si ______________________________________ ay pumapayag na ipasuri
(Pangalan ng Magulang/Tagapangalaga)

ang mga mata ng aking anak na si__________________________________.

(Pangalan ng Anak)

Ako rin po ay pumapayag na bigyan siya ng nararapat na lunas para luminaw ang
kanyang paningin.

Lagda ng Magulang/Tagapangalaga: ____________________________

Petsa ng Paglagda: _______________
 Post Screening Activities

• Parent’s Consent
• Follow-up
• Prepare for the Eye Examination Day
Outcomes of the Vision Screening
Outcomes of the Vision Screening
THANK YOU!
 WORKSHOP

• GROUP yourselves into 2

• GROUP 1 – breakdown into 4 groups – Visual
Acuity – assign a leader
• Group 2 – breakdown into 4 groups – Simulation
Exercises- assign a leader
• Report/Share your experience
Workshop - Simulation Exercises

• Group 2

• Use the stairs

• Go to the Comfort Room
• Make a cup of coffee
• Write a letter to your friend