TEEN EYECARE

Some 1.6 million teenagers – about 11.5 percent of the United States high school population – may have undiagnosed or untreated vision problems, according to a three-year national screening project, "Seeing is Achieving." According to Prevent Blindness America, which conducted the screening, and Bausch & Lomb, which funded the project, results of the study call out for a greater emphasis on vision screening for high school age students.

Vision screening is not mandated by the federal government. Currently, 15 states do not require any school vision screening. In those states that do require it, the emphasis is mainly at the elementary school level.

"'Seeing is Achieving' demonstrates a real need to increase the awareness of the value of screening teens' vision," says James M. Tielsch, Ph.D., chairman of the community programs committee of Prevent Blindness America. "Many states and school districts emphasize vision screening in the elementary grades, but when it comes to vision screening during the high school years, when academic achievement and activities affecting career choices are critical, often teens are left out."

Prevent Blindness America and Bausch & Lomb offer this simple test for parents and teachers to detect possible vision problems. If the answer is "yes" to any of the questions, the teen should undergo an eye exam. Does the young person... shut or cover one eye? have difficulty with reading or other close-up work? hold objects close to the eyes? blink more than usual? have trouble seeing distant objects clearly, squint eyelids together or frown? complain of dizziness, headaches or nausea following close-up work?

Again, if the answer is "yes" to any of the questions, the teen should undergo an eye exam. Call us – we can help.