Taking care of your eyes and vision is vital for a healthy lifestyle. Vision screening helps detect basic eyesight issues, while comprehensive eye exams thoroughly examine vision and eye health. Studies suggest that one in four children have undiagnosed vision issues. 

School Vision Screenings 

Vision screening is often conducted by a school nurse or other health professionals. The basic test can detect vision issues but does not diagnose eye diseases. It can identify reduced vision and conditions leading to vision loss. 

As it does not use specialized equipment, technicians refer diagnosed issues to an eye specialist. Those involved in vision screening have the training to use age-appropriate tools and methods. 

What Vision Screening Does

Vision screening checks visual acuity but may also include other tests. Visual acuity testing requires the child’s cooperation and reading ability. The child tries to identify letters or shapes from a distance. 

The child covers one eye, which helps show any visual problems in each eye. Inspection of the pupils and the eyes helps assess eye shape and color and reaction to light. Photoscreening uses a special camera to check refractive errors and vision abnormalities. 

Comprehensive Eye Exams 

Optometrists or ophthalmologists conduct eye exams. Eye specialists have the training and equipment to detect and treat various eye conditions. They can diagnose eye diseases and recommend the best treatment. 

Comprehensive eye exams help detect and treat issues such as:

• Myopia

• Astigmatism

• Keratoconus

• Diabetic retinopathy

They also check for refractive errors such as amblyopia, strabismus, and convergence insufficiency.

During an Eye Exam

Eye exams are more detailed than vision screenings. During a comprehensive eye exam, the specialist will ask about the patient’s medical and family history. Many eye conditions are hereditary. An examination of the external and internal eye helps check for disorders. 

A refraction test checks near and distant vision. A dilated eye exam enables the doctor to check the inner eye, including the retina and optic nerve. The exam helps to check visual acuity, side vision, ocular alignment, binocularity, eye pressure, and color vision. 

School Vision Screening vs. Eye Exams 

Vision screenings are essential for children’s eye health, but they are inadequate. They can detect various vision issues but are limited in scope and do not tell the entire story. A child can pass vision screening but have an undiagnosed vision or eye issue. 

Screening should not replace an eye exam, regardless of the results. The screenings often occur in poor testing environments with limited equipment. Comprehensive eye exams are conducted in eye clinics by doctors with experience to diagnose and treat eye issues. 

Most learning skills today depend on strong vision skills and clear eyesight. Vision issues can make it hard for children to learn effectively and perform essential tasks. Regular eye exams are essential to determine the child’s visual skills and overall eye health. 

For more about the difference between school vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams, contact the Family Eye Care Center of Atlanta at our Atlanta, Georgia, office. Call (404) 905-1400 to schedule an appointment today.