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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.
Apr 19

Yes, We Provide Free Eye Tests for Children of Oklahoma!

By Blog Post

Parents always have a long “to-do” list during the school season. It’s a very busy time of the year; but in addition to getting new clothes, school supplies, backpacks etc., one thing that shouldn’t take a back seat is vision screening. When it comes your child’s eye health, it’s always best to follow the prevention is better than cure approach.
The (American Academy of Ophthalmology) AAO’s serves as an advocate for the public and patients in relation to protecting sight and empowering lives. The organization has designated August to be “Back-to-School Eye Health month”. We at Vizavance enthusiastically have similar objectives.
We are a non- profit entity in Oklahoma with the primary aim to advance children’s’ education through better eyesight. We offer free eye exams Oklahoma to school children, helping identify vision issues that if left unidentified, could seriously impact the child’s ability to achieve academic excellence.
The importance of regular vision screening
Family physicians, pediatricians, trained technicians or nurses can perform free eye exams Oklahoma, during the course of the child’s standard medical checkup. These screenings don’t take too much time, and help identify problems with vision. If we detect any problem during the screening, the parents will be recommended to take their child for a more comprehensive eye examination that generally involves an eye dilation procedure.
Since only 2-4% of children actually have eye problems that need ophthalmic intervention. Vision screenings are a very efficient and cost-effective method of diagnosing eye conditions in kids, rather than getting a comprehensive eye exam done.
Why Opt for Vizavance kids free eye exams Oklahoma?
Vizavance provides free vision screenings for kids that are 6-months old to high-school seniors. We work with Head Start Centers, public & private schools and day care centers, throughout all 77 counties of Oklahoma.
We offer our Vision Service Plan vouchers; this covers free eye exams & glasses for qualifying families. Aside from this, we also offer vision screening for children; and vision health and safety information at corporate, school health and community fairs.
All of our staff and screeners are state certified. As per state laws K, 1st & 3rd grade children need to be chart screened by certified screeners.Our experts provide immediate feedback to nurses and teachers on vision problems.We also maintain back up files to helps nurses and schools from year-to-year.We have a state-wide presence with a fixed curriculum, so the testing is standardized.Efficient, reliable & completely focused on our mission.We catch eye problems early that could eventually lead to learning disabilities.We are very passionate about our work, love our jobs and what we do; our team is highly committed to helping the kids of Oklahoma.We follow the state vision screening guidelines and laws.
Never use uncertified providers, as that could impact your compliance if audited. As you can see, we are the experts and can provide the best kids free eye exams. For any more information, call Vizavance at 405-848-7123 or email us at info@vizavance.org
Mar 22

If You Qualify, You Could Get Free Glasses For Your Children!

By Blog Post

Seeing properly is important for everyone. Good vision and the ability to see clearly is something we often take for granted. Having our vision checked should always be a priority, especially for young children. Vision is an essential part of the learning process, as children need to be able to see clearly and properly in order to learn new things and gain information. If a child cannot see the teacher or board clearly, how is that child supposed to learn what is being taught? At Vizavance, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to see clearly. That is why we have been providing vision screenings to school-aged children for the past 50 years in the state of Oklahoma. It is the Vizavance mission to advance children’s education through better vision, and they do so through identifying children with vision concerns through their screenings.
What The Program Offers
Our nonprofit agency offers free vision screenings to children in the Oklahoma school system. We provide the screenings to children from ages 6 months to high school seniors. Our vision screeners are highly trained professionals who are educated to deduce vision concerns in children. Our vision screenings are conducted at schools or other learning facilities in order to identify those children who are having difficulty seeing properly. We understand the importance of vision in a child’s learning and everyday life, and we have helped many children improve their vision and their education through our program.
Another benefit and offering of our program is that we can offer children, vision service plan benefit vouchers. These vouchers are good for free full eye exams and glasses for families who qualify based on specific qualifications. We also provide vision and health information to all of our children and families so that our community is better educated to the vision concerns are children are facing.
We also offer training to the community as well, so that teachers and other professionals who work with children can learn to recognize when a child might be struggling with their vision. As well, we provide training to professionals in an education setting that would like to become vision screeners. Our program is truly life-changing and we are happy to not only identify vision issues for these children but also hopefully offer them free eyeglasses to correct the problem as well.
Feb 15

We Make Getting Your Children’s Eyes Checked Easy – FREE

By Blog Post

Eye health is an important aspect of everyone’s overall health, but it is especially important in children. Having your child’s eyes examined every year is an essential part of their well-being and should be taken seriously. At Vizavance, we make eye exams easy and free for your child.
Vizavance is a nonprofit organization in Oklahoma that serves all children. We offer free comprehensive eye exams with the primary goal of advancing children’s education through better vision. Many children are directly affected in the classroom due to poor vision, and when corrected, can really turn things around at school. If a child is having difficulty seeing the chalkboard or what is going on in the front of the classroom, he/she is bound to suffer the consequences. Many children are unaware they have difficulty seeing.
At Vizavance, we can not only determine if your child’s vision is being impacted but we can also identify any other issues that might be occurring. Our Children’s Vision Screening program is the backbone of Vizavance. Our free screenings are offered to children as early as 6 months old and up to high school students. We offer these screenings at locations throughout all 77 counties in Oklahoma and we typically work from public schools, private schools, daycares, and other school settings. We can also provide Vision Service Plan benefit vouchers that are good for free exams and glasses for certain families that meet the criteria.
Another service we offer is community screenings to adults as well, throughout our events in the area. We also provide training and classes for school teachers, staff, nurses, and other healthcare workers who want to learn how to become a Children’s Vision Screener or Children’s Vision Screener trainer that their local facility. We are always looking for those who are willing to join our cause!
The benefits of having your child’s vision screened each year are vast. By identifying vision concerns, you can not only change your child’s life within the classroom but also in everyday settings. Think of how much more they can see and do with their vision corrected. When your child is screened, you will be given immediate feedback on what the issues are and how to correct them.
We can also provide tips for classroom teachers and staff to help your child every day. Our screeners are all state certified and thoroughly trained to know how to appropriately screen each child.
Don’t let your child slip through the cracks. Have their vision screened for free!
Jan 10

Success in School – Have Your Children’s Eyes Checked For Free

By Blog Post

As School starts up again, there is likely a laundry list of things you need to get done for your children prior to them starting. This year, don’t overlook the need to get your children’s eyes checked. This is a very important task that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Eyesight is an important tool for learning, and making sure your child is ready and able to learn is important. Research supports that a child’s success rate in school can be directly correlated to his/her eyesight. A child with poor eyesight could begin making poor grades if he/she cannot see properly enough to take in the information. Before taking your child in for an eye exam this school year, take note of the following things so that you can be well prepared.Changes in Vision If you have noticed any changes in your child’s vision, it is important to communicate that to the person conducting their eye test. Some signs to look out for include the following: squinting, covering one eye when looking at something far away or up close, rubbing eyes, turning head to one side, blinking or dry eyes, holding reading material very close to their face in order to read it. These are some telltale signs that your child might need glasses or corrective lenses.Changes in Attitude Listening and observing your child’s comments and overall attitude can also provide insight into any vision concerns. If your child feels frustrated when trying to read, either far away or close up, there may be an issue with their vision. They might also complain about things looking blurry, feeling dizzy, seeing double, or frequent headaches.
Give your child their best shot this year by scheduling a free eye exam with Vizavance. We will provide a comprehensive exam that will allow your child to do their best in school. Make it a habit to include this important exam into all of the other beginning of the school year checkups and tasks that you set out to accomplish each school year. You will be so thankful you did, and your kids will too!
Dec 08

Foods that Help Eyesight in Our Kids

By Tips and Tricks

There are many foods that are good for our health in many ways, and the same goes for foods that can help improve eyesight for children. If you want to start implementing foods into your child’s diet that can help improve their eyesight, check out some of the best foods for doing so below.
Fruit
Fruits are packed full of nutrients that are healthy for many reasons. However, there are some fruits that are especially helpful for improving eyesight. Strawberries and other red berries are loaded with Vitamin C, which is good for protecting eyes from the possibility of eye diseases like cataracts by keeping your eyes healthy. Strawberries also have lots of Vitamin B and fiber for improved eye health as well. Oranges are another good fruit for eyesight due to their high volume of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that helps keep blood vessels and connective tissues in your eyes functioning as they should. Oranges also have potassium, fiber, folate, and calcium which are also great nutrients for eye health.
Veggies
Although it can be difficult to get your kids to eat their vegetables if you can find a way to sneak them into their diet, veggies do wonders for keeping eyesight healthy. Spinach is one vegetable that contains many nutrients for keeping your eyes healthy. Spinach has been known to do wonders for eye health due to Vitamin A, iron, Vitamin K, and folate. Spinach has been known to decrease the risk of macular degeneration due to these ingredients. Sneak in some spinach by adding it to a fruit smoothie!
Sweet potatoes are another great vegetable for eye health and one that might be easier to swallow for children due to its’ taste. Sweet potatoes contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which have been known to decrease the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Sweet potatoes are also packed with Vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and carotene, so they are similar to carrots but taste much better!
Other Foods
Nuts and eggs can also improve eyesight for children. Nuts such as walnuts are full of Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, all linked to eye health and the decreased risk of age-related eye diseases. Walnuts can be easily mixed with raisins and chocolate for a yummy, and eye health, trail mix! Eggs are good for eye health due to their high source of zinc and Vitamin E. Another food to add to the list of eye-healthy foods is seafood. Tuna, Salmon, and other fish are full of DHA, which can improve the health and function of your retina.
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