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NIH Radio

Trained Screeners Help Identify Preschool Vision Problems

Brief Description:
A study funded by the National Eye Institute finds that trained screeners can identify preschoolers with vision disorders

Transcript:
Akinso: A study funded by the National Eye Institute, has determined that trained screeners can identify preschoolers with vision disorders. Doctor Maryann Redford, group leader of the Collaborative Clinical Research, Division of Extramural Research says the vision in preschoolers study was designed to provide scientific evidence to address key questions .

Dr. Redford: "The number 1 question is it feasible to screen 3, 4, and 5-year-olds for vision disorders? And the number 2 question, are there specific tests that perform better than others? Finally who needs to administer the test. What kind of skill level or training, do the people, who administer the test need?"

Akinso: Among the trained screeners, nurses correctly identified up to 68 percent of children with vision disorders, compared to 62 percent of these children. Doctor Redford feels that the data is very encouraging.

Dr. Redford: "There's a lot of vision screening being proposed and conducted in the united states. And I think this data will inform the people in future vision screening programs how to design them bes, so that they can get the most effective use of their resources."

Akinso: This is Wally Akinso at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.

This page was last reviewed on September 30, 2005 .

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