Eye Exams at Preschool and School
Vision plays a critical role in the daily function of children, and in academic performance. Decreased visual acuity or a lazy eye (amblyopia) can make the acquisition of learning skills difficult, result in poor achievement in reading and writing, cause fatigue as a result of eye strain and create difficulty in physical and social functioning. Early detection of visual impairments makes it possible to receive treatment and prevent the difficulties associated with them.
Tests in preschool
In preschool, children aged 3-4 undergo Photoscreening, a test that helps identify risk factors for a "lazy eye", such as crossed eyes or vision acuity differences between the two eyes. The detection of risk factors at a young age enables early diagnosis of vision impairments and increases the chance of success of the treatment and of prevention of irreversible damage to the vision.
All children whose parents gave their consent to the test in the preschool in their health statement will undergo the test.
Those who are not in preschool during the test can complete it in preschool on another date, or will be referred to a site that performs supplementary tests.
Testers
A trained screener qualified to perform the test.
Course of the test and results
The test is done using a photoscreener for children, which resembles a camera and tests the eyes from a distance and without any physical contact.
Updating the parents and continued monitoring
- Report to parents: in the end of the testing day, the parents will receive a report on the test and its results.
- Referral if necessary: if a visual impairment is suspected - parents will be sent a referral for continued monitoring and testing by the ophthalmologist who treats the child in the HMO. If the child is not tested for any reason - the parents will be sent a recommendation to do the test in the HMO.
- Documentation: test results are documented at the Ministry of Health (but not sent to the HMO).
- Continued monitoring: the service provider will contact the parents to verify the results within 3 months of the test done in preschool.
Who is excluded from the vision test
- Anyone previously diagnosed with a visual impairment.
- Children in special education.
Tests in school
As part of the vision screening performed at school, an eye exam is conducted in the first and eighth grades to detect pupils suspected of having visual impairments that may affect their general function as well as their academic achievements. The eye exam in first grade is performed near the beginning of the school year, in order to detect and treat a lazy eye as soon as possible.
Pupils who were not at school when the screening is performed will be able to complete the test that year at a nearby school on the day the eye examination is performed, or at sites that perform the supplementary tests for which parents will be sent an invitation to test. The test may also be completed the following year, in the second grade.
Testers
- A nurse who works in student health services has been trained to perform vision screening tests at school.
- Optometrist.
Course of the test and results
An eye exam examines visual acuity and the ability to diagnose lazy eye:
- Visual acuity: ability of the eye to identify items of various sizes. The smaller the detail the eye detects, the better the visual acuity.
- Lazy eye (amblyopia): a decrease in the visual acuity of one eye that cannot be corrected and that does not result from structural defects in the eye.
Before the test, an explanation will be given in class about the course of the test and its importance, and how to keep the eyes healthy. The test is performed sitting in front of a board on which rows of numbers or shapes of different sizes are marked. The pupil will be asked to read the numbers or note the shapes from large to small, once with the right eye covered and once with the left eye covered.
Updating the parents and continued monitoring
- Report to parents: in the end of the testing day, the parents will receive a report on the test and its results.
- Referral if necessary: if a visual impairment is suspected - parents will be sent a referral (by text message or written notice) for continued monitoring and testing by an ophthalmologist in the HMO.
Until the examination is complete, the educational staff will be given a recommendation to seat the pupil in an appropriate place in the classroom. - Documentation: test results are documented at the Ministry of Health (but not sent to the HMO).
- Continued monitoring: the school nurse or the party conducting the test will make sure that the pupil has an eye follow-up within two months from the date of the test at the school (the parents may also contact a nurse and report the follow-up test results). The results of the follow-up will also be recorded in the Ministry of Health.
Even when the vision test performed at school comes out normal, if the parents or the educational staff suspect that the pupil has a visual impairment - a referral for further medical testing will be given.
Who is excluded from the vision test
- Anyone who brings documentation of a vision test performed within the past year.
- Anyone previously diagnosed with a visual impairment. In such a case, the parents will be sent a recommendation to come once a year for vision monitoring at the HMO.
- Pupils in special education will undergo a vision test before arriving at the placement committee and before entering the special education system.
For clarifications and further information, you may contact the school nurse.