Learning Requires Good Vision

Vision Screening in the Superior Public Schools

Eye checkups are recommended for incoming kindergartners

By Lynne Bauer

As we enter another school year there are many things that the health assistants are doing to ensure children are able to learn.  One of the things that occurs in the fall of the year is vision screening. Too many children in Wisconsin still begin a new school term with undetected vision and/or eye health problems.

It is a known fact that 80% of all learning in a child’s first twelve years of life is obtained through vision. In the School District of Superior we do vision screening on 4K, Kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, 6^th, and 8^th grade. Also, if a parent or teacher has any vision concerns we can do a vision screening at any time of the year on any student.

A vision screening is an appropriate and essential element of a strong public health approach to children’s vision care.  The purpose of vision screening is to identify problems in early treatable stages, educate families about their child’s vision, and connect children to eye care when needed.

A screening is used to identify a child at risk for vision problems and does not replace a comprehensive examination performed by an eye doctor.

About 1 in 20 preschoolers and 1 in 4 school-age children has a vision problem. If not detected and treated early, these conditions could lead to permanent vision loss.  They also clearly affect all aspects of life, negatively impacting a child’s ability to learn, athletic performance and self-esteem.

The Wisconsin’s Children’s Vision Law (Chapter 118.135) requires school districts to encourage parents of Kindergarten children to have their child’s eyes examined by a doctor of optometry or evaluated by a physician. In the spring during Kindergarten round-up parents are reminded of this law and encouraged to have their child’s vision checked over the summer months before the start of the school year.

All the health assistants have gone through vision screening training with Prevent Blindness Wisconsin.  Upon successful completion of all components of the certification course, the health assistants became a Prevent Blindness certified Children’s Vision Screener for up to a three-year period.

Lynn Bauer/RN is the Director of Health Services for the School District of Superior

She is available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. , and can be reached at 715-394-8713 or lynne.bauer@superior.k12.wi.us.