Caring for your vision and eye health is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Undetected eye issues can lead to vision loss. Vision screenings and eye exams can ensure you get appropriate treatment when needed. Schools usually conduct vision screenings. They differ from comprehensive eye exams.

 

Vision Screening

Vision screening is a test that can help detect eye and vision issues early. A family doctor, school nurse, or certified health professional can conduct the basic test. It can detect an issue but does not diagnose the exact problem.

Screening aims to reduce vision and eye conditions that can potentially progress to vision loss. The technicians do not use specialized equipment. If any problems are detected, they refer the patient to an eye doctor.

 

Comprehensive Eye Exam

A comprehensive eye exam can help diagnose eye or vision problems. Optometrists, or ophthalmologists, conduct the exams in a clinic or hospital setting. They have relevant training and use specialized assessments and equipment to detect and treat eye problems. A comprehensive eye exam can diagnose conditions that can lead to vision loss. Eye specialists recommend scheduling regular eye exams based on the patient’s age and eye health.

 

What Vision Screenings Detect

Vision screenings are useful for detecting vision issues such as myopia, hyperopia, and severe amblyopia. Most school vision screenings do not detect other vision problems that can make learning hard for a child. School learning today relies heavily on strong visual skills and clear eyesight to perform many essential tasks. Vision screening usually includes:

• Visual acuity testing.

• Inspecting the eyes and pupils.

• Photoscreening.

What Comprehensive Eye Exams Detect

Comprehensive eye exams include various tests based on the patient’s age. Pediatric eye exams include:

• Assessing visual acuity.

• Eye turns.

• Eye tracking.

• Lazy eye.

• 3D vision.

• Convergence.

• Color vision.

• Ocular health.

Comprehensive eye exams can diagnose refractive errors, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Professionals diagnose the problem and provide the best treatment.

 

Screening vs. Eye Exams: Which Do You Need?

Vision screening is not a substitute for an eye exam. Screening can be helpful, but it is incomplete and can lead to a false sense of security. You should schedule a comprehensive eye exam for your child, even if they have passed a school vision screening.

Failing to get regular exams can delay the detection of severe eye diseases. Eye specialists recommend annual eye exams for children and every two years for adults. Your eye doctor will recommend the best exam schedule depending on your vision condition and eye health.

The main drawbacks of vision screenings are limited equipment, a poor testing environment, and a lack of specialized training for the testers. Only eye care professionals can reliably conduct screenings and assess the results accurately.

Those conducting vision screenings should receive training in using scientifically proven, age-appropriate methods and equipment. Poor vision and age-related eye diseases are common as people get older.

For more on vision screening vs. comprehensive eye exams, visit Clarity Eye Care at our office in McKinney, Texas. Call (972) 954-9595 to book an appointment today.