Prevent Blindness Oklahoma Uses Spot Vision Screeners to Expand Eye Health Efforts Statewide

LAKE MARY, Fla., Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Prevent Blindness Oklahoma (PBO) has been working to preserve the eyesight of state residents since 1965. With the Spot vision screener as its hub, PBO launched a new program, "EZ as 1 2 3," in 2012 to address children in need.

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The program serves 1- to 3-year-olds in licensed daycare centers, a group that previously did not receive vision screening from PBO. "Our goal is to screen 30,000 students in two years," said Director of Grants and Special Projects Anita Schlaht. The initiative serves a vital purpose; while doctors recommend that preschoolers have their vision tested, less than 22 percent of preschool children receive vision screening[1].

In addition to children in daycare, PBO uses Spot to screen pre-kindergarteners, special education, non-English-speaking students and Head Start children. "Before implementing Spot, it was difficult to determine whether young children understood what they were supposed to do on the Lea chart or if they were having difficulty with their vision," Schlaht said, who first learned of the company PediaVision, makers of the Spot device, at a Prevent Blindness America conference. "Today, we can rest assured knowing we are capturing an accurate screening within seconds with virtually no cooperation from the child."

When the region's Smart Start and Opportunities Inc. Head Start programs provided for a purchase of a Spot device, 10 of their members were trained in its use. This program is being implemented at centers in the northwest part of the state.

"Spot has become a catalyst to provide efficient vision screening to children in locations where access to care was previously unavailable," said PediaVision vice president Jeff Mortensen.

PBO is currently raising funding to acquire additional Spot devices and expand vision screening across the state.

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. Thus, a child's vision problems can affect not only their own learning, but that of their peers[2]. 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 visit www.pediavision.com.

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Improving the Nation's Vision Health: A Coordinated Public Health Approach.

[2] Charles E. Basch. (2010). Teachers College, Columbia University. A Research Initiative of the Campaign for Educational Equity Teachers College, Columbia University.

Contact:
Jeff Mortensen
321-377-3095
Email

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