Clear vision is essential for much of a person’s everyday routine. Vision screeners will become increasingly important to detect and prevent many of the eye diseases and conditions that impact vision. A new study shows the latest trends in the equipment being used to protect eyesight.
What Vision Screeners Do
Optometry vision screeners offer many benefits for anyone who needs their vision checked. They test the quality of vision in children who may be unable to tell a problem exists. They offer multiple testing options based on the age of the child. For instance, there is objective and subjective testing as well as cover testing.
In adults, the equipment can check for cataracts, glaucoma, and astigmatism. It also tests for special conditions, such as myopia and hyperopia along with tumors and other diseases.
Growing Need for Eye Exams
As children and adults alike spend more time in front of the computer, the need for vision testing continues to rise. Along with the computer, one must consider the television and smaller electronics, such as tablets, smartphones, and wearables.
Quality of vision directly relates to education in children. Many times, dropping grades are an indicator of vision problems. The child may be unable to see the board or get headaches, which limit their ability to study and learn effectively. A vision screener detects problems so doctors can correct the issue and the child is better able to learn.
Functions of Vision Screeners
As technology in this field continues to advance, vision screeners will continue to improve. There are certain functions every vision screener should have which allows the tester to learn valuable information about the patient’s eyesight.
Some of the most basic functions include the following:
- Acuity – tests the quality of vision
- Colors – determines the ability to recognize and see colors
- Contrast – tests the ability to tell between light and dark
- Depth perception – tests for “lazy eye”
The Growth of Portable Devices
Gone are the days when the only way to check vision was in an optometrist’s office. With the development of portable vision screeners, schools, pediatric clinics, and other places can now perform basic testing.
Portable screeners make it easy to do quick tests which are reliable and accurate and provide valuable information about a person’s eyesight. If concerns arise from these tests, the person can schedule an appointment with their optometrist for further testing. The idea is to detect problems earlier and get treatment sooner. Early detection can prevent vision loss in some conditions.
While little to no training is required to operate these portable devices, improvement in training can bring better results and a higher level of confidence from the patients. As portable vision screeners become even more commonplace, it opens up possibilities for anyone who needs their vision tested but doesn’t want to schedule an appointment with an optometrist.
Vision screeners will continue to improve in the detection of diseases and help prevent future conditions as more people get tested. Improved eyesight also increases the quality of life for children and adults alike.