Our Prevention of Blindness department provides vision screenings and education programs for children throughout Luzerne, Pike, Wayne and Wyoming counties. The main focus of the prevention of blindness department is to find undetected, yet treatable, vision conditions in children and adults.
Each year we provide Vision Screenings for thousands of children in our service areas. These screenings help to detect potential vision and eye health problems, often before symptoms are noticed. All of our Vision Screenings are free of charge. For more information or to schedule a Vision Screening at your facility call us at 570-693-3555 ext. 227 or email us.
Children’s Vision Screening
Children with poor vision often don’t realize they aren’t seeing as well as they should. Because they lack a point of reference, they rarely express concerns about their eyesight. They may experience blurred or double vision or have strong vision in only one eye, yet they remain unaware of the issue. Likewise, many parents may not recognize vision problems since they can be difficult to detect through simple observation.
Since 80% of learning before age 12 relies on visual cues, undetected vision problems can significantly impact a child’s development. These issues may present as difficulties commonly mistaken for learning disabilities, such as frustration, trouble focusing, difficulty following instructions, frequent word omissions or reversals, or an inability to maintain their place while reading. Despite these risks, 64% of children under the age of five have never had a vision screening, and an even greater percentage have never undergone a comprehensive eye exam.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vision screenings at the following stages:
- At birth
- At six months
- Between ages three and four
- At age five
- Annually thereafter
The preschool years are a critical time for detecting and correcting vision issues. Many visual impairments cannot be effectively treated if intervention is delayed beyond age six. However, with early detection and proper medical care, many vision problems in children ages three to five can be successfully managed, minimizing their impact on learning and daily activities.
At Northeast Sight Services, we offer free Vision Screenings at preschools, daycare centers, and kindergarten registrations. Using WelchAllyn SPOT vision screening technology—a handheld autorefractor that scans both eyes simultaneously from a comfortable three-foot distance—we quickly assess potential vision issues. If a child does not pass the screening, we provide a referral to an eye care professional for a comprehensive exam, ensuring they receive the care they need for healthy vision development.
A portion of our Children’s Vision Screenings are funded by generous contributions from our friends at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield We can’t thank them enough!!
