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Vision Screening Tests for Toddlers

15 June 2024

The sense of sight matures from childbirth until the age of ten. Vision screening tests conducted at Tipat Halav clinics (Medical Health Center) and in kindergartens can identify mild and severe vision disorders, even if the children do not communicate any vision difficulties.

Causes of visual disorders: cloudy cornea due to cataract; ptosis (eyelid drooping); strabismus (misaligned eyes or crossed eyes); amblyopia (a large difference in visual acuity between the two eyes).

The importance of early detection of a lazy eye (amblyopia)

In amblyopia, the brain receives distorted signals from the eye, potentially leading to irreversible vision loss, also known as a "lazy eye" or, in professional terms, amblyopia. Early detection of a lazy eye is essential to decreasing the risk of vision impairment. Early detection and treatment improve the chances of success during childhood, when the brain is still developing, allowing the brain to continue receiving the required signals. Without correction, the condition may lead to irreversible blindness in one eye.

Vision tests in the hospital and at the Tipat Halav clinics

In the hospital, after labor, the newborn will undergo a red reflex test, after which they will have the test at the Tipat Halav clinic at the ages of two, nine, and 18 months.

In some cases, you may be referred to an examination by an ophthalmologist even if no physical evidence is detected. At the age of six weeks and four months, a Tipat Halav nurse will examine the baby, and you can discuss any concerns you may have about your baby's vision with the nurse during this examination.

The Tipat Halav doctor will examine your baby with an ophthalmoscope or a medical penlight at the ages of two, nine, and 18 months.

It is important to keep in mind: If your baby has not undergone one of the screening tests conducted in the hospital after childbirth, it is recommended to consult promptly with a pediatric ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye examination.

In early childhood, children undergo screening tests for early detection of vision disorders and to assess risk factors for a lazy eye (amblyopia). The combination of the multiple tests increases the chances of detecting vision disorders early.

The goal of screening tests is to identify children who may not exhibit symptoms but still have a vision disorder.

It is important to point out that if your child reports eye problems, such as rubbing or blinking their eyes frequently, and you are concerned about their vision, you should seek a referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist for a vision test instead of waiting for the screening test.

Vision development in children

The sense of sight is essential for the functioning of children, and it also influences their learning skills. Children are born with a sense of sight, and it continues to develop until the age of ten. A lack of proper signal transmission from the eye may affect the development of parts of the brain that are involved in vision.

  • The cornea: which is the transparent area at the front of the eye
  • The pupil: which can constrict and dilate to control the amount of light that enters
  • The lens: which focuses the light that passes to the retina
  • The transparent liquid filling the eye (the vitreous humor)
  • The retina: this is where the optic nerve is located and transmits signals to the brain

The causes of visual impairments

  • Cloudy cornea due to cataract.
  • Eyelid drooping (ptosis), a condition where the eyelid does not open completely and covers part of the eye.
  • Strabismus is a condition in which the eye axes are not parallel or aligned, leading to differences in light rays entering the eyes.
  • Amblyopia is a large difference in visual acuity between the two eyes.

The differences between the eyes may cause the brain to receive signals only from one eye and ignore the signals from the other eye.

The significance of early detection of ‘lazy eye’ (amblyopia)

Early detection of a lazy eye in young children, in the years in which the brain still develops, is essential to decreasing the risk of vision impairment. The earlier you detect risk factors, the chances of success of the treatment will be greater. Without a treatment, the condition might lead to irreversible blindness in one eye.

Test Conducted by Place Age
Red reflex test Pediatrician Hospital After birth
Questioning Tipat Halav nurse Tipat Halav During Tipat Halav appointment
Red reflex test Tipat Halav physician Tipat Halav Two months, nine months and eighteen months
Corneal reflex Tipat Halav physician Tipat Halav Two months, nine months and eighteen months
Physical examination Tipat Halav staff Tipat Halav During each Tipat Halav appointment
Development examination Tipat Halav nurse Tipat Halav 6 weeks, 4 months
Photo screening Testers Kindergartens Preschool
Acuity test Tipat Halav nurse Tipat Halav 4 years
Acuity test Student health clinic School 1st grade
Acuity test Student health clinic School 8th grade

It is important to keep in mind

It is important to keep in mind

If your child has not undergone one of the screening tests, it is recommended to consult promptly with a pediatric ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye examination.

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