1. Pediatric Vision Disorders

2. Why screen for visual impairments?  Approximately 1 in 20 preschoolers and 1 in 4 school age children have a vision impairment that interferes with learning.  Children with other physical disabilities often have some type of vision impairment.  Children may be mislabeled as cognitively delayed or mentally retarded if a vision problem is not identified.

3. Types of Vision Disorders  Amblyopia – “lazy eye”  Strabismus – “crossed eyes”  Myopia - nearsightedness

4. What is amblyopia?  Affects approximately 2 percent of all children.  A condition in which a child's vision does not develop properly because the eye and the brain are not working together correctly.  It usually affects only one eye, is also known as "lazy eye."  A child may experience blurred vision in the affected eye.  If left untreated, this condition may lead to permanent vision problems.

5. Treatments for amblyopia  Treatment options include vision therapy exercises or prescription eyeglasses.  Children with amblyopia may need to wear an eye patch over their stronger eye in order to force the affected eye to function as it should.

6. What is strabismus?  Condition in which the eyes are not both directed toward the same point simultaneously. It occurs when eye muscles are not working together properly.  It is most commonly an inherited condition, but may also be caused by disease or injury.  If diagnosed early, strabismus can usually be corrected.

7. Treatments for strabismus  The condition may be treated with corrective eyeglasses, eye-muscle exercises, surgery, or a combination of these approaches.  Young children with this condition may need to wear an eye patch over their stronger eye to force their weaker eye to function correctly.  Children whose strabismus is not corrected may develop amblyopia.

8. What is myopia?  This condition, commonly known as nearsightedness, occurs when light rays entering the eye focus in front of the retina, not directly on it.  Children with myopia are usually able to see close objects well, but objects in the distance— such as highway signs or writing on a chalkboard—appear blurred.  Children with this condition may squint to see distant objects and experience eyestrain or, sometimes, headaches.

9. Treatments for myopia  Eyeglasses or contact lenses can correct myopia.  Surgery is another alternative.

10. Ways to screen for vision impairments in the classroom  Teachers may obtain training and tools to assist in screening their students for visual impairments.  Assessments should be given to infants and followed through each year.

11. Teaching Modifications  If a student in your classroom has a visual impairment, you can:  Understanding the impairment and working with the parents to create an environment that enables the child to participate in all activities equally.  Giving the child actual experiences, not just audible learning. Allow them to touch and feel activities.

12. Teaching Modifications (continued)  Their shared culture may be different than fully sighted classmates, as they may have never seen a cow, for example. Tailor your activities to take that into account.  Make sure that if there are any special tools or additional resources that are needed for the child, that you pursue obtaining them for the classroom.

13. References  American Foundation for the Blind. (2010). Glossary of eye conditions. Retrieved from http://www.afb.org/seniorsite.asp?SectionID=63&Docu mentID=2139  Marotz, Lynn. (2009). Health, safety, and nutrition for the young child. Wadsworth Pub Co.  See/Hear Newsletter. (1995, January). Teaching strategies and content modifications for the child with deaf-blindness. Retrieved from http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/archive/strategi es.html