Is Volunteer Eye Screening Accurate?
NOV 21, 2014
Question:
My school has recently been approached by members of the Local Lion's club regarding screening school-age children using the PediaVision "Spot" vision screener. Are you able to comment on the reliability or validity of this method/product? Should public school agencies consider this?
Answer:
Screening for visual deficits is a great idea and often a mission of the Local Lions. They do a great job. Recently a number of instruments have been developed and have been quite successful as part of vision screening efforts. This particular instrument, although relatively new, has been found to do a good job. It has a low rate of missing something important. As true of other screening tests, there is a chance of a positive screen not being correct (the eyes are in fact normal). Parents should be informed that this does happen some times and see an ophthalmologist to confirm the results.