Centre Pediatrics is pleased to offer a new vision screening test to all our patients between the ages of six months and eight years. The purpose of this test is the early detection of any abnormalities in your child’s vision. We do recommend that, in addition to this screening, your child’s eyes should be examined by an ophthalmologist at least before entrance to kindergarten.
More than 200,000 children are born each year with vision problems. Many of these problems go undetected until too late to easily correct the problem. The most common problem with children’s eye site is Amblyopia.
Q: What is Amblyopia?
Amblyopia is reduced vision in an eye that has not received adequate use during early childhood.
Q: What causes Amblyopia?
Amblyopia means “without site.” Amblyopia has many causes, among them a “lazy” eye. Amblyopia most often results from this “lazy” or misalignment of a child’s eyes. A “lazy” eye is seen by an observer as crossed eyes, or divergent eyes. Amblyopia also results from a difference in image quality between the two eyes (one eye focusing better than the other). In both cases (misalignment and weaker focusing) one eye becomes stronger than the other. If this condition persists, the weaker eye may become useless.
Q: Can anything be done to treat Amblyopia and prevent vision loss?
With early diagnosis and treatment, the sight in the “lazy” eye may be restored.
Q: When should treatment for Amblyopia begin?
The earlier the treatment, the better the opportunity to reverse the vision loss.
Q: What happens if Amblyopia goes untreated?
If not treated early enough, an amblyopic eye may never develop good vision and may even become functionally blind.
Q: How many people have Amblyopia?
It is estimated that four to five percent of the population suffers from this form of visual impairment.
Q: Why should your child have a vision test using the Enfant vision screening machine?
The Enfant vision screening test is a painless, safe, non-invasive test to check the complete visual system of your child including the nerve pathway between the eyes and the brain, and screens for vision abnormalities including Amblyopia.
Q: Can I be with my child during the test?
Yes, we would appreciate your assistance. Your child will either sit on your lap during the test of you may stand beside your child and provide encouragement. We do discourage having siblings in the room. The test will take approximately 10 minutes.
Q: How is the test done?
The technologist will attach three small sensory pads to the child’s head using a washable gel material. Your child will be seated in front of a screen and asked to stare at the center. The screen has animal pictures and a black and white pattern that quickly reverse. One eye is covered while the other eye is tested. A computer records the child’s response.
Q: What else do I need to know?
Your child must sit still during this test. Relaxation is an important part of the test.
Q: What can I expect after the test?
After the test the technologist will remove the sensory pads and use a small amount of water to remove any gel residue. The test results will be given to your doctor.
Centre Pediatrics recommends this new vision testing method as part of your child’s wellness program. If you have additional questions please feel free to ask your child’s doctor. Again, we also recommend examination by an ophthalmologist at least in the year before your child enters kindergarten.
