Posted: 3/4/2019
Parkland providers can screen patients as young as 6 months old
In the United States, the most common disabling childhood conditions are vision disorders, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Although early detection increases the likelihood of effective treatment, the CDC also estimates that less than 15 percent of all preschool children receive an eye exam and less than 22 percent of preschool children receive some type of vision screening. During March, Parkland Health & Hospital System providers observe Save Your Vision Month and encourage parents to pay attention to their children’s visual health.
“It is priceless to identify children at risk in order to prevent permanent, unnecessary and irreversible vision loss at an early age,” said Sentayehu Kassa, MD, senior lead staff physician at Parkland’s Vickery Health Center. “I believe early vision screenings significantly improve our pediatric patients’ health and overall well-being.”
Thanks to a donation from The Rosewood Foundation, Parkland providers at the Hatcher Station and Oak West health centers, as well as the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center (where Parkland provides healthcare services) can now perform exams with portable handheld vision screeners.
The devices are designed to quickly and easily detect vision problems on patients from 6 months of age through adulthood. By pointing the device toward the patient’s eyes and pressing a button, the screener allows providers to identify visual impairment and eye conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye) and refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism) for further evaluation and treatment.
“Using these instruments is fast and the process requires minimal cooperation from the patient,” Dr. Kassa said. “They’re especially useful for screening shy, non-communicative or pre-verbal children.”
Axel Vasquez, 2, of Dallas is one of those shy and very young Parkland patients. Axel and his mother Karina Vasquez, 23, visited the Hatcher Station Health Center in January for a routine pediatric appointment.
During the visit, a nurse pointed the scanner at Axel while he nestled next to his mother on an examination table. Within a few seconds of pressing a button, the device beeped, alerting the nurse the results were in.
“Wow, that was fast,” Vasquez said, laughing. “I wish that thing was around when I was a kid.”
Vasquez, who has worn glasses since she was a teen, said traditional vision screenings can be challenging. “Identifying letters and numbers on a wall is always hard for me,” she said. “I can only imagine what it’s like for small children, especially those who are just starting school.”
According to the American Optometric Association, 80 percent of a child’s learning is visual. The organization and Dr. Kassa agree – detection of vision problems is vital, especially for school-aged children.
“Whether they are reading a book, learning math problems or participating in school, children rely on visual learning more than any other educational tool,” Dr. Kassa said. “I believe vision screeners are incredibly useful.”
Vasquez agreed with Dr. Kassa. “I’m glad Parkland patients like my son can now take advantage of these amazing devices.”
“I know the new pediatric vision screeners we now have at Parkland will increase our ability to provide timely and more efficient services to the children we care for,” Kassa said.
For more information about Parkland, please visit www.parklandhospital.com.