By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Children’s vision problems, if detected at an early age, are 95 percent correctable. If not treated, vision disorders in children may lead to blindness and may result in development issues.
Young children in Hays will soon benefit from the Kansas Lions Sight Foundation Children’s Vision Screening program. “The goal,” according to Hays Lions Club member Jim Huenergarde, “is to try to get all kids screened before they enter kindergarten.”
The Hays Lions Club, together with Hays First Care Clinic, have purchased a portable $7,800 Spot Vision Screener made by Welch Allyn.
The handheld device looks similar to any other digital camera, with a couple exceptions.
“Spot” emits an audible upbeat chirping noise while the lens screen is filled with a miniaturized laser light show. The noise and blue lights work to attract attention toward the camera. The patient may be an infant as young as six months, or an uncooperative child. It takes just one-second for Spot to capture a binocular (both eyes) screening. The patient is a noninvasive three feet from the screener.
The new technology also allows for names and dates of birth to be entered.
Spot screens for potential indication of seven eye problems: myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (blurred vision), anisometropia (unequal refractive power), strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye) and anisocoria (pupil size anomalies).
The information is sent to a wireless printer for an immediate color printout of a vision screen summary. The information can also be retained on a thumb drive and handed over to an early childhood teacher, for example, who would print out the results later for parents.
If an anomaly is detected, the results will include the statement “Complete Eye Exam Recommended.” “Vision screening does not replace a complete eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist” is printed at the top of each report.
Seven Hays Lions Club members are trained to use the portable device. Huenergarde is training the staff at First Care Clinic this week.
The device can detect vision issues on patients from six months of age through adults.
According to Huenergarde, “the plans are to keep it at First Care Clinic to be used on their patients on a regular basis.
“As we (Hays Lions Club) schedule screenings with preschools, day cares or the school system, we’ll be screening 50 to 200 people at a time,” he said.
Huenergarde demonstrated the Spot Vision Screener at Tuesday’s Lions Club pancake feed fundraiser so supporters could see how their donations are used.