What is Kidsight
Kidsight is a free vision screening program where Lions Club
volunteers throughout Kentucky conduct vision screening
sessions at preschools, kindergartens and other early
childhood centers. Screenings are also conducted at health
fairs and other public events throughout the state. The
program is designed for children ages two through six, but the
technology can be used to screen children as young as one.
It is as simple as having your child's picture taken. Local
Lions Club volunteers use the Spot vision screener by
PediaVision, a state of the art vision screener device, which
is 90-95 percent accurate in detecting vision problems. It
only takes a moments per child, requires no preparation or
medication and is totally painless.
Parental consent is required prior to the screening.
The Kentucky Lions KidSight screening program detects these
vision problems in children:
Myopia (Nearsightedness), Hyperopia (Farsightedness),
Astigmatism, Strabismus (when the eyes are not directed to an
object simultaneously. Sometimes the eyes deviate inward,
and other times the eyes deviate outward), Anisometropia
(condition in which the two eyes have unequal refractive power–
in different states of nearsightedness or farsightedness.
The brain will often suppress the vision of the blurrier eye in
a condition called Amblyopia, or lazy eye).
The screening is free, thanks to the support and volunteer
efforts of the local Lions Clubs. Funding is also provided by
individuals, corporations and grants.
The first few years of a child's life are critical in the development
of good vision. Problems are not always evident by simply
looking at a child. Each day that eye problems go undetected
and untreated, a child's vision may deteriorate to the point of
irreversibility. The earlier these conditions are detected, the more
easily and successfully they can be treated.
Spot Camera
PediaVision, inventor of the Spot vision screener, is dedicated to
solving the critical problem of undiagnosed vision problems and
transforming the lives of thousands of children each day.
Automated and objective vision screening empowers organizations
in public health and private medicine to positively affect the outcomes
of a child's education performance. Supported by ophthalmologists,
optometrists, scientists and leading technology innovators, the
Spot vision screener is breakthrough technology and represents
what vision screening should be. Please visit: www.pediavision.com
What Spot Sees
Spot is powered by sophisticated technology that quickly detects the
indication of the following vision issues: near-sightedness, far-
sightedness, unequal refractive power, blurred vision, astigmatism,
pupil size deviations, eye misalignment. In just seconds, Spot
provides a comprehensive, reliable analysis that enables informed
decision making about the need for follow-up diagnosis.
Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is the loss or lack of development of central
vision in one eye that is unrelated to any eye health problem and is
not correctable with lenses. It can result from a failure to use both
eyes together. Lazy eye is often associated with crossed-eyes or a
large difference in the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness
between the two eyes. It usually develops before the age of 6, and it
does not affect side vision. Symptoms may include noticeably
favoring one eye or a tendency to bump into objects on one side.
Symptoms are not always obvious.
Treatment for lazy eye may include a combination of prescription
lenses, prisms, vision therapy and eye patching. Vision therapy
teaches the two eyes how to work together, which helps prevent
lazy eye from reoccurring. Early diagnosis increases the chance
for a complete recovery. This is one reason why the American
Optometric Association recommends that children have a
comprehensive optometric examination by the age of 6 months
and again at age 3. Lazy eye will not go away on its own. If not
diagnosed until the pre-teen, teen or adult years, treatment takes
longer and is often less effective.
Kentucky does not require an eye exam before entering preschool,
often to late. Early diagnosis of "lazy eye" helps to ensure a positive
outcome. Call the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation office for
information (phone 1-800-232-5308 or local at 502-583-0564).
