This bulletin explains some of the visual characteristics of children and youth, examines critically the vision screening tests used in some schools, and explains the problems resulting from their use. Chapters deal in turn with vision and visual characteristics, the professional eye examination, visual screening tests, problems in referrals from…

In 73 children (6-13 years old) with reading difficulty, ophthalmological evaluation showed that 18 had overt refractive errors, 18 dyslexia and no ocular anomalies, and 37 impaired fusional amplitudes, 24 of whom were dyslexic. In all Ss with poor fusional amplitudes the reading mechanism could be improved with orthoptic exercises. (Author/CL)

Discusses steps for Head Start staff and parents to observe child behaviors indicating possible undetected vision problems. Describes activities to test children's visual skills involving fixation, movement of both eyes inward, shift of gaze, and visual tracking of an object. Provides a checklist of unusual vision behaviors and tips for assisting…

Included is information on establishing a system or upgrading existing services, selecting appropriate screening tools, referring persons in need of professional vision care, obtaining appropriate treatment, and providing follow-up services required to ensure that all persons with severe handicaps receive the best possible vision care. (Author/SB)

It is concluded from the study that the three tests tested are not interchangeable despite the fact that they appear to measure similar perceptual functions. All three tests should be combined in a battery if used for diagnostic purposes. (Author)

The comparison of Orthorater vision tester and Snellen chart far visual acuity results for 261 National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) students. Results indicated that a rear illuminated Snellen chart is an acceptable alternative to the Orthorater for screening postsecondary, hearing impaired students' far visual acuity. (Author)

This article reports on a study of the methods that 21 ophthalmologists used to assess the visual acuity of children with multiple impairments and the difficulties they encountered. Additional means of assessing visual function and alternative means of communicating the results are suggested. (Author/DB)

Assessment of visual acuity, using Teller Acuity Cards, was combined with observations of behavioral state to indicate central nervous system activation in 24 individuals with mental retardation. Results indicate that forced-choice preferential-looking technique can be used to test visual acuity in this population unless the participant is drowsy.…

A new test designed to detect an hereditary eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is described. This condition is revealed by pigmentation in the retina, but early diagnosis is difficult because the symptoms are subtle, and since it is genetically recessive it frequently occurs in families with no history of early blindness. In many cases…

Tests of preschool children have revealed that children from low income groups have more visual problems than children from higher income families; it is suggested that comprehensive vision screening be provided children upon reaching school age so that problems can be corrected early. (JD)

The Parsons Visual Acuity Test (PVAT) described in the article has been developed for use with difficult-to-test individuals previously labeled untestable. The studies reported support use of the PVAT as an alternative screening procedure for identifying difficult-to-test persons who are in need of a professional eye examination. (Author/CL)

Based on studies and clinical findings, two techniques for testing infant vision are described: near-retinoscopy (used to assess the refractive state of infants and young children) and a fast preferential looking procedure (used to assess the acuity of infants up to one year of age). (DLS)

This paper reports on a study of visual acuity among radiologists. Twenty-eight radiologists had their visual acuity tested by an optometrist. One week later, 70 medical school faculty radiologists were asked to respond to a printed questionnaire that elicited information about: (1) the date of the respondent's immediately previous examination;…

This paper reports an investigation of the effectiveness of vision screening by the Modified Telebinocular Technique (MTT) when compared to the more cumbersome but highly valid and reliable Modified Clinical Technique (MCT). Data on 102 school children were collected using the MCT. The same children were then given the MTT to establish comparison…