LAKE MARY, Fla., Aug. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — To recognize August as Children's Eye Health and Safety Month and to give students a positive start to the academic year, hundreds of PediaVision customers are using the company's award-winning Spot device to conduct vision screenings for children. The screenings are an ongoing effort at pediatric offices while schools and Head Start organizations address the need for children returning for the fall semester. Many of the mass screenings in pre-schools and schools are sponsored by local Lions Clubs.
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"We're extremely pleased so many are supporting the use of Spot to identify children in need and then referring them to an eye care professional for a comprehensive eye exam," said PediaVision vice president Jeff Mortensen. "While back-to-school time is important, a growing number of Spot users are working throughout the year to ensure children's eye health."
Research shows that 25 percent of school-age children are affected by vision issues[1]. That means more than 12 million children go to school and cannot see the blackboard or even read their textbooks. The American Academy of Pediatrics states, "Eye examination and vision assessment are vital for the detection of conditions that result in blindness … problems with school performance, or at worst, threaten the child's life[2]."
"Children's eye exams are critical. Vision problems don't always manifest as squinting," said Dr. Stephanie Lyons, head of Lyons Family Eye Care in Chicago. "Kids with vision issues may act out or avoid reading. The implication is that these kids may have behavioral issues and they may have a hard time keeping up in school."
About PediaVision
PediaVision, inventor of the award winning Spot vision screener, is dedicated to solving the vital health issue of undiagnosed vision problems and transforming the lives of thousands of children each day. A child with an undetected or untreated vision problem is more likely to develop social or emotional problems[3]. Thus, a child's vision problems can affect not only their own learning, but that of their peers. PediaVision is committed to assisting children in reaching their full potential by providing an objective and accurate vision-screening device for public and private healthcare providers.
Supported by ophthalmologists, optometrists, scientists and leading technology innovators, the Spot vision screener is a breakthrough technology and represents what vision screening should be. For more information, including how to order Spot, please visitwww.pediavision.com.
[1] Zaba, Joel N., M.A., O.D., "Children's Vision Care in The 21st Century & Its Impact On Education, Literacy, Social Issues, & The Workplace: A Call To Action." Journal of Behavioral Optometry (Volume 22/2011).
[2] American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Certified Orthoptists, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American Academy of Ophthalmology. "Eye examination in infants, children, and young adults by pediatricians." Pediatrics. 2003;111(4 pt 1):902–907
[3] Charles E. Basch. (2010). Teachers College, Columbia University. A Research Initiative of the Campaign for Educational Equity Teachers College, Columbia University.
Media contact:
Jeff Mortensen
321-377-3095
EMAIL