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Dec 29

Why Get your Kids Eyesight Tested During the Holidays?

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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

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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.

Aug 20

Different Types Of Vision Screening Tests For Children

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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?

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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.
Apr 19

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

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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!

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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

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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

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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!
Oct 30

Give Your Eyes The Tender Loving Care They Need

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There is more about children’s sight than meets the eye. Vizavance has been protecting and improving children’s education through vision since 1965, and we have been the only nonprofit organization in Oklahoma that have been helping schools make sure that the student’s vision will not obstruct their development. With more than 50 years of serving the community, Vizavance has seen the great impact eyesight can have on schoolchildren.
With that said, here are a few facts about the windows of your soul.
Facts About Eyesight in Your Children’s Education
Your children’s eyes are immensely important for your child’s education. Eyesight contributes to almost 85% of total knowledge. The importance about eyesight is not only due to how much of a big factor it is in learning, but also because a sizeable number of children (and adults too) learn more through seeing.
65% of the population are visual learners, according to the Social Science Research Network. But that is not all since communication is largely nonverbal. 93% of human communication is through vision, with 85% of which is body language and 8% facial expressions. Also, people remember 20% of what they read but remember 80% of what they see, which is a big reason why graphic learning is effective as compared to just reading.
Because visual learning is so important, students who have trouble seeing may have issues with their grades. They also may not tell anyone that they are having trouble seeing the board or other areas of the classroom when in fact there’s more to the situation than just not excelling at their work.
The Reality in the World
Eyesight is important and everyone can see that. However, diminishing and even losing vision is becoming a real growing concern. In 2015, there are approximately 61,739 children in the United States who are legally blind, which grew from 60,393 children in 2014, as reported by the American Foundation for the blind.
The Vision Council of America and a Johnson and Johnson Study, both in 2006, found out that 1 in 4 school children have problems with their eyesight. The World Health Organization also reported that there are 19 million children worldwide who have a visual impairment. 12 million of those have impairments due to refractive errors, which can be diagnosed and improved without difficulty.
Vizavance is and will always be fighting untiringly for the vision of schoolchildren, but we can only do so much. Help us reach out to more children by asking your school to have us do vision screenings. Our screeners are certified by the state and we provide immediate feedback. You can offer this amazing service to your students to assist them in making sure they have every possibility to succeed with their schoolwork. Our team is working to help reduce vision issues among the students of today and help them to succeed in all they do. Join us in our fight against visual impairment and together, we can help our children see how bright the future is.
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