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Jan 25

What’s the Right Age to Get your Child’s Eyes Tested?

By Tips and Tricks

Many parents wait until they see symptoms of vision problems in their children before they approach optometrists for a vision check up. Unfortunately, this can cause problems because it is difficult to spot symptoms in young children. Vision screening should be a part of your child’s regular healthcare.

At Vizavance, we provide comprehensive free vision screenings Oklahoma. You can get your child’s eyes tested by qualified experts without spending a lot of money.

What’s the Right Age to Get Your Child’s Eyes Tested?

Most parents wait until their child starts reading and there are clear signs of vision issues before they get the testing done. Here’s a detailed guideline on when to get the examinations done:

  • Six Months – You should get your child’s first thorough vision exam done when they’re around six months in age. We can check and accurately identify issues even in children this young.

  • Three Years – If the first test reveals no issues, you can wait until the child is three years old and about to start preschool before arranging for another thorough vision screening for preschoolers Oklahoma.

  • Five to Six Years – If there are no problems detected during the child’s preschool years, you can wait until they’re five to six years old before getting another exam done. Schedule this one just as they’re about to start their first grade. This can ensure they don’t have any vision-related learning difficulties.

If your child shows no signs of vision problems and doesn’t need corrective glasses or lenses, you can get a test done every two years. Regular testing helps ensure they get treatment on time, if required.

If your child experiences any vision problem, it is a good idea to get them to an ophthalmologist immediately. Don’t delay testing because early diagnosis and timely treatment can help prevent further deterioration. Children who use glasses or lenses require eye testing every year. This allows you to keep track of their eye health and treatments.

When Should You Bring Your Child In For Testing?

The testing will go smoothly if your child is relaxed and attentive. Make sure your child is active and responsive before you bring them in for testing because this ensures they’ll respond to the optometrist as well.

You should also be on the lookout for symptoms of vision problems. If your child has issues like frequent eye rubbing, delayed motor development, excessive blinking, poor eye tracking, inability to maintain eye contact, and other such issues, you need to schedule a test. Poor vision can affect their ability to learn and focus. It can also influence their overall development and cause health issues down the line.

If you want to know more or want to get vision screening tests for kids OKC, don’t hesitate to contact us at Vizavance. You can reach us at the Tulsa office by calling 918 496 3484 or at the OKC office by calling 405 848 7123.

Dec 29

Why Get your Kids Eyesight Tested During the Holidays?

By Blog Post

Vision problems are quite common in children, but most kids don’t undergo a vision exam. Only around 15% of children get a thorough vision exam before they enter school. Unfortunately, around 25% have vision problems that are severe enough to impact their ability to learn.

At Vizavance, we provide free vision screenings for Oklahoma children. Our comprehensive tests will determine if your child is suffering from a vision problem and recommend solutions. We encourage parents to get their child’s eyesight tested during the holidays because:

1. You Have More Time On Your Hands

Most eye screenings don’t require much time and it takes half an hour at the most. However, the optometrist might recommend additional tests or some treatment to correct a vision problem. This might require a few visits to an opthamologist, which is why it is a good idea to get the tests done during the holidays. There’s no need to plan around the school schedule and you have more time on your hands to ensure the test is thorough.

2. No Related School Stress

If your child does have a vision problem, it is best to get the treatment started when there’s no school stress. For example, if you get your child’s eyesight tested at the start of the Christmas holidays and they need glasses, they will have the entire holiday season to adjust. They can get used to glasses or patches and will be more comfortable when it is time to attend school. Children usually take some time to adjust to changes in vision, which is why it is a good idea to let them deal with new glasses during the holidays.

3. Building Confidence

Children often feel self-conscious if they’re forced to wear glasses. They fear being teased by their classmates and friends. If they get glasses during the holidays, they have more time to build up their confidence. You can encourage your child to wear glasses often and become confident while wearing them. This will reduce the stress and make your child more comfortable.

Holidays are the best time for vision screening for preschoolers Oklahoma. You can get this task out of the way and don’t have to worry about appointments during the school term. We encourage parents to get their child’s vision tested every six months or a year. This allows you to keep track of your child’s problems. Most vision problems can be corrected if they are caught early. It is also possible to limit the damage caused by some serious vision problems by starting the treatment early.

Our free eye screening services for Oklahoma children ensures your child gets a comprehensive eye exam (for FREE).

If you want to know more or want to get vision screening tests for Oklahoma’s kids, don’t hesitate to contact us at Vizavance. You can reach us at the Tulsa office by calling 918 496 3484 or at the OKC office by calling 405 848 7123.

Nov 27

Vizavance Makes a Difference To Children’s Lives in Oklahoma

By Blog Post

Vizavance is the one and only nonprofit organization in Oklahoma whose main aim is to advance children’s’ education via better vision. We offer free vision screenings to school children in Oklahoma. This helps in the timely identification of vision problems, which if never identified could affect a child’s academic performance.

We at Vizavance serve 1300 locations in Oklahoma and conduct these screenings at public and private schools, Head Start Centers, and day care centers, throughout 77 counties of Oklahoma. These free vision screenings are done for children in the age range of 6 months right up to high school seniors. A total of 116,029 children have been provided with free vision screening so far during the 2017-2018 school year.

We work consistently and in a dedicated manner to conduct these free vision screenings in as many settings as possible. The objective is to make a difference in the way people look at eye problems in children and get them treated on time.

Range of Tests

Our organization conducts a variety of tests such as:

Response to light
Ability to follow a moving target
Visually-evoked response testing

Visual Screenings For Older Infants &Toddlers

Most of these above-mentioned tests may also be performed in toddlers and older infants.In addition, cover and uncover tests will also be conducted.

Vision Screenings For Preschoolers

The tests that we use for toddlers will be used in vision screening for preschoolers Oklahoma. We may also use the following tests (typically for children around 3 years of age).

Color testing
Visual acuity tests

Visual Screenings For School-Aged Children

For children in the school age group, various vision tests can be conducted with the use of specialized charts &instruments that aid inaccurate vision testing. These tests can be used in the detailed evaluation of near & far vision.

What Vision Screening Means For Children in Oklahoma

It isn’t uncommon for children to experience various eye problems at a very young age.While some of these problems are quite easy to cure and aren’t permanent, others need a specialized approach and treatment. The recommendation is that vision screening should be done in children by the age of one. This is because any vision problems that are un-diagnosed can affect their cognitive development, even at that young age.

Our endeavor at Vizavance is to catch these problems early so that the appropriate treatment can be given to prevent escalation of these issues as they grow up. Early detection of vision issues is essential for children of all ages to reach their full potential. We are proud of the fact that we are able to screen thousands of children of all ages annually and that’s our way of making a difference to the children and communities of Oklahoma.

If you want more information on our OKC free eye screening services for children, contact Vizavance or give us a call at 405-848-7123. You can book an appointment for free eye exams in Oklahoma at the earliest convenience.

Oct 18

Eye Safety Tips for Children’s Sports

By Tips and Tricks

Children of all ages participate in sports of different types. Some of these sports present a high risk of serious eye injuries and, in some cases, blindness. In order to reduce the chances of sports-related injuries, we recommend that children involved in various activities should use appropriate eye wear in the sports they participate in.Important Facts State-based programs and youth & school athletic league programs should ensure that coaches, parents, and children are educated about the importance of wearing the right type of sports eye safety wear. Some of the things we recommend include: The type of eye safety wear for sports should be purchased only after consultation with an athletic trainer, a physician or eye doctor. It needs to suit the child’s size and should be appropriate for the sport he or she is playing. Adolescents and children should wear eye protection gear that meets American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as well as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The legislators of the state should adopt a legislation that requires the use of safety eyewear for children of all ages when they are participating in high/medium-risk sports through their school, youth league or even collegiate athletic programs. Sports safety wear that doesn’t conform to the standards set by ANSI and ASTM should be banned by the collegiate, community, and school sports programs. It is important that the right type of sports eyewear be made available via funding that is similar to any other equipment such as pads, uniforms, helmets etc. to children that a participating in any sports.Common Sport-Related Eye Injuries Athletes can suffer acute eye injuries when they fail to wear the right type of eye protection or when they use face shields. This can occur particularly when they wear glasses or goggles that don’t fit properly or which aren’t appropriate for that specific sport. Athletes that don’t wear the right type of protection can suffer from common injuries such as:

Swollen Or Detached Retinas Hyphema Orbital Fractures Traumatic Cataract

Standard plastic or glass lenses, digital sunglasses or even open eye guards without lenses are all designed for regular or daily use. These do not provide the child’s eyes adequate protection during sports. Lenses that are made from non-polycarbonate materials are prone to shattering upon impact. Not only this increase the severity of the eye injury, but also has the potential to cause permanent blindness in the child.Certified and Good Quality Eye Safety Wear As you can see, sports eye safety isn’t something you can take for granted. It is important that you invest in good quality, certified sports safety eye wear that will provide your child’s eyes the right kind of protection. If you want more information on the type of safety eye wear you should choose for your children,feel free to contact Vizavance or give us a call at 405-848-7123. You can book an appointment for free eye exams in Oklahoma at the earliest convenience.

Sep 24

A Guide to Safe Play

By Tips and Tricks

All parents want to keep their children safe from harm. Every parent also wants to ensure that their child is happy, and playing with toys usually promotes happiness. However, some toys can also pose a danger to your children, and it isn’t uncommon for accidents to occur when they’re playing with their favorite toys. One of the commonest injuries to occur is to the eyes. Research shows children incur about 11,000 toy-related eye injuries annually. These can be minor ones like mild corneal abrasions (scratches to the eye’s surface) or even very severe ones like a corneal ulcer, retinal tear or detachment or traumatic cataract.Some Toys that can be Dangerous While toys are specifically designed to be played with, sometimes, even the most innocent looking ones can cause a significant amount of injury to children’s eyes. Here, we discuss a number of toys that can pose a risk of eye-related injuries. While these toys don’t have to be eliminated completely, there are a few tips to follow to make them safer for kids to play with.1. Toy Weapons Toys such as guns or similar items, that propel or shoot small objects have the potential to cause a significant amount of damage to your child’s eyes. While many parents feel that it isn’t dangerous for their children to use guns that shoot pellets or BBs, these can be extremely dangerous toys. Ones that have darts or missiles are also very dangerous. Most children tend to hold these toys very close to their faces while they are pulling the trigger. If your child insists on playing with these toys, it is important that you have them use safety goggles at all times. Similarly, bows, swords, sabers,and wands are other items you need to be wary of as they too can potentially cause eye injuries.2. Sports Equipment Each year, many children sustain eye injuries while playing sports such as baseball, basketball, and racquetball. Blunt, penetrating, or even radiation, sport-related injuries can cause permanent harm to your child’s eyes. It’s important to ensure that your child is wearing appropriate eye safety wear even when they are playing with toy sports equipment.3. Laser Pointers Although laser pointers are definitely fun to play with, the beam can cause a significant amount of retinal damage if aimed at the eye even for a very short span of time. If your child’s toys include laser lights, it’s important that they are supervised closely while using them.4. Fireworks It’s never a good idea to allow children to play with explosive devices. Children tend to underestimate how dangerous fireworks can be. Even a very small explosion close to the eye can prove to be devastating and can cause burns and injuries. If your child is going to set off fireworks, it’s important that you insist they use safety goggles or protective eyewear. As a parent, it’s also your responsibility to educate your child about how to maintain safety while playing with toys. If you want more information, feel free to contact Vizavance or give us a call at 405-848-7123. You can book an appointment for free eye exams in Oklahoma at the earliest convenience.
Aug 20

Different Types Of Vision Screening Tests For Children

By Blog Post

In order to accurately evaluate your child’s vision, the healthcare provider you consult will perform a detailed history & physical, which includes a comprehensive eye exam. There are a wide variety of vision tests that may be used to check your child’s vision. While some of these could be used at just about any age, others will be used based on the child’s understanding as well as age. We at Vizavance offer free vision screenings Oklahoma for children ranging from 6 months of age, up to high school seniors.The Different Tests As a leading nonprofit, we work consistently with private & public schools across all 77 counties in Oklahoma. Today, there are a number of different types of vision screening tests for kids OKC including:
Response to light- Infants will blink in response to any type of bright light.Pupil response- This measures the pupil’s response, when a penlight is directed in the eyes. This is one of the best ways to test the vision of infants.Ability to follow a moving target- This is a very common vision acuity test used in infants’ eye testing. This checks their ability to quickly look at and follow any toy or object.Visually-evoked response testing- These tests stimulate the eyes with special patterns or bright lights. The infant will be connected to a monitor with special attachments on his/her head. The device will then record their brain’s electrical activity as various patterns and lights are shown to the infant.
Visual Screening Tests For Older Infants And Toddlers Most of the above-mentioned tests may be performed. In addition, the other tests include the cover & uncover test. This particular test looks for alignment & movement of the eyes which may occur when the child is focusing intently on an object. One eye will be covered with a card while he/she stares straight ahead. At this point, the examiner will carefully observe the uncovered eye’s response.Vision Screening Tests For Preschoolers The tests that are used for toddlers will also be used for vision screening for preschoolers Oklahoma. In addition, the following may be used, generally around the age of 3 years:
Color testing- This test is helpful in determining color blindness in children.Visual acuity tests- Certain charts and tests may be used to measure distant as well as near vision. In preschoolers, these charts might have stories and pictures rather than the letters of the alphabet.
Visual Screening Tests For School-Aged Children For children in this age group, a formal vision test can be conducted with special instruments and charts that aid with accurate vision testing. Both far & near vision can be evaluated using these tests. We at Vizavance are Oklahoma’s only nonprofit entity, whose primary goal is to help improve children’s vision, which also impacts their academic progress in a positive manner. If you want more information on our OKC free eye screening services for children, contact Vizavance or give us a call at 405-848-7123. You can book an appointment for free eye exams in Oklahoma at the earliest convenience.
Jul 24

When and Where Can You Yet Your Child’s Vision Screened?

By Blog Post

Vision screening is a vital aspect of keeping children healthy. Many parents are unaware of when their children should be screened and where they should get vision screening done. Ideally, parents should have their child’s vision screened by their pediatrician. This screening needs to be conducted with a specialized, instrument-based vision screening device, around age one. Your child should then have their vision tested again between the ages of 3 and 5 years of age.Oklahoma Vision Screening at School The good news is that today, there are a number of other locations and opportunities to get your child’s vision screened. Health departments, various service organizations like day care centers as well as schools offer vision screening services. As mentioned earlier, vision screening shouldn’t be a one-time event. It tends to be the most effective when it is performed right through childhood. While children’s vision screening Oklahoma should start at infancy, things always change as your child knows. This is why, just a one-time screening doesn’t suffice. The earlier the problem is detected, better the chances of successful treatment.Vizavance: The Vision Screening Experts in Oklahoma City Vizavance are Oklahoma’s only nonprofit entity, whose main goal is to help improve children’s vision. Vizavance offers free vision testing to school children in Oklahoma and help identify various vision issues that have the potential to impact a child’s ability to succeed in the academic space. At Vizavance, children’s vision screening is the mainstay of our program. Our organization offers free vision screening for children 6 months of age to high school seniors. We are one of the leading organizations that works consistently with private and public schools across all 77, Oklahoma counties. Vizavance, will also work with daycare centers as well as Head Start Centers. While also offering vouchers, for eligible families to receive free glasses through the Vision Service Plan benefit.Other Services We offer vision screening for adults and children at corporate, school and community health fairs, and our experts also offer health and safety-related information to attendees. In addition, we provide classes to Health Care professionals, and school staff that are interested in becoming a vision screening trainer or a specialist in vision screening. If you want more information on our eye screening services for children, give us a call at 405-848-7123.
Jun 13

Tips For Keeping Your Kids Eyes Healthy

By Tips and Tricks

We, humans, tend to experience much of the world in a very visual way. The colors, sights, and light that we see around us, are the visual cues that help us improve our understanding of the world. You would want your children to enjoy the vibrant world that we live in, wouldn’t you? As parents, you need to help your children maintain their eyesight’s functionality and health. Here are some tips from our experts that can help keep your kids eyes healthy:1. Maintain An Eye-Friendly Diet This is undoubtedly one of the best ways to start. Since children’s eyes are still developing, they require the proper nourishment to keep their eyesight functional and sharp. Parents can do this by ensuring that their children eat certain kinds of food on a regular basis. Ensure that your children eat foods that contain nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and C, as well zinc. Include foods such as nuts, beans, eggs, fish, kale, spinach and other green, leafy vegetables in their diet. Maintaining a healthy diet helps protect the eyes from any kind of premature damage. The protein is extremely helpful in developing tissues, and vitamins help ward off infections and repair broken tissues.2. Sufficient Sleep And Rest Are Important A good night’s sleep refreshes the body as well as the eyes. It helps keep your child’s vision crisp and clear and maintains eye health.3. Play In The Open Air It’s important that your children be allowed to play in outdoor spaces. The fresh air and sunlight can be very beneficial to their eyes. There are a number of studies which indicate that spending time in the outdoor spaces can help your kids avoid eye problems such as myopia.4. Keep Eyes Protected From The Sun When your children are spending time in outdoor areas ensure that their eyes are adequately protected from the sun. Excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can result in eye deterioration and damage. If you are planning to spend a day at the beach or any other open sunny area for extended periods of time make your kids wear sunglasses, especially ones that provide 99% to 100% UV protection. In addition to all these points mentioned above, ensure that your kids’ eyes are clean at all times. A good way to keep kids eyes clean is to ensure they wash their hands regularly. Kids tend to touch areas around the eyes and this habit can result in germs entering and causing havoc with their eye health. Limit the amount of time your children spend staring at computer screens, smartphones, and tablet devices.Kids Free Eye Exams Oklahoma Very importantly, ensure that you take your kids for free eye exams Oklahoma, at least once each year. Your children’s eyes play a very important role in the manner they develop and it’s vital that you help ensure their health and safety. If you want more information about kids’ eye health, contact Vizavance or give us a call. You can book an appointment for free eye exams in Oklahoma at the earliest convenience.
May 17

Common Eye Issues in Children

By Eye Issues

Children can experience a number of eye problems at a young age. Some of these are temporary and easy to cure while others require more specialized care. Experts recommend screening children for potential eye problems by age one as undiagnosed vision problems can hinder their cognitive development. That’s one of the reasons why we at Vizavance provide kids free eye exams in Oklahoma. If serious vision problems are caught early, they can be treated effectively. Here’s a look at the most common eye issues kids can have:
1. Strabismus
This problem may also be referred to as squint, lazy eye, crossed eyes, or turned eyes but they all imply the same thing; eyes turned in different directions. One eye may be straight while the other is pointed up, down, left or right. There are different versions of this; in some cases the eyes have a permanent squint while in others the squint comes and goes. This doesn’t always develop at birth and may gradually emerge as a child grows older. If caught early, an expert will recommend glasses or exercises as a treatment; however, patches or surgeries are also treatment options.
2. Amblyopia
This is also called lazy eye though it is one of the symptoms of strabismus. Amblyopia occurs when one eye becomes lazy and doesn’t receive a clear picture from it. This can be because of strabismus, cataract, refractive error, orptosis. The problem can be treated with corrective glasses or patching if caught early enough, which is why we recommend getting kids free eye exams in Oklahoma.
3. Chalazion
This is a swelling caused by a blockage in the glands of an eyelid. The swelling can differ in size, happen in one eye or both eyes at a time, develop redness, or emit yellowy secretion. It’s important to get treatment immediately as this can affect a child’s vision. In most cases, chalazion is resolved in a few weeks. Butt if this problem persists for around 3-4 months, you might need to contact a specialist.
4. Epiphora
This problem is caused by a blocked tear duct, which leads to excessive tearing. When the duct is blocked, the excessive liquid doesn’t drain from it to a child’s nose. The problem is easy to resolve with careful and regular tear duct massaging. It usually goes away when a child is between 6-12 months. However, if this condition persists for more than 6-12 months, you might need to visit a specialist for treatment.
5. Myopia
Myopia or nearsightedness can occur in children. They can see objects close to them more clearly than objects at a distance. Excessive myopia can lead to lazy eye in children, which is why it’s important to seek treatment early. Solutions usually involve glasses of some kind, which is why you must get your children’s vision tested regularly.
If you want more information on common eye issues in children, give us a call. You can book an appointment for free eye exams in Oklahoma at the earliest convenience.
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