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  Vision Screening Test for Pre-school Children
(3-5 years)
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Why should my child have a Vision Screening Test?
The aim of the Vision Screening Test early detection and referral of children with abnormal vision, which may be due to:
1) amblyopia
2) conditions that may cause amblyopia
What is
An amblyopic eye is an eye with poor vision.
* Amblyopic usually (but not always) occurs in only one eye.
* Amblyopic can be caused by:
A refractive error, i.e. short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism (e.g. severe long-sightedness may cause amblyopia in a young child);

A big difference in refractive error between the two eyes (e.g. one eye with normal vision and the other with a significant refractive error);

A squint; or

Opacities in the refractive media (e.g. cataract).
*As a result, the brain fails to perceive a clear image from the affected eye.  The poor vision in an amblyopic eye is therefore not correctable by spectacles alone.
* Treatment is more effective before the age of 8 to 9 years. If untreated, poor vision will become permanent.
* Amblyopia may be a barrier to certain careers and may leave the individual with very poor vision if there is loss of vision in the good eye through disease or trauma.

 
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Last revision date: 28 January 2010