Eyes and Vision[Name of Presenter]Doctor of Optometry

Presentation provided by:

Scott A. Jens, O.D. AOA MemberMadison, WI

The Amazing Eye

The process of visionAn object in the world is seen by the

eye upside downThe brain processes the eye’s image

to create the picture of the object

BrainANDY ANDYANDY

When vision is bad...

The cornea and lens need to focus light onto the retina for clear vision

Often, the focus is not sharp...

Hyperopia (farsightedness)

Myopia (nearsightedness)

Astigmatism

Incidence of eye disorders, age 6 mos.

to 18 yrs. Hyperopia (farsightedness) 25% Astigmatism 23% Myopia (nearsightedness)

18% Non-strabismic binocular disorders 14% Strabismus 12% Amblyopia 7% Accommodative disorders

6% Peripheral retinal abnormalities, 2%

requiring referral or follow-up

Hyperopia (farsightedness)

Too little focusing power causes light to be focused “behind” the retina

Convex lenses focus light onto the retina

A significant cause of learning problems, as it often goes undetected by school or pediatrician screenings

Common cause of reading glasses

Incidence of eye disorders, age 6 mos.

to 18 yrs. Hyperopia (farsightedness) 25% Astigmatism 23% Myopia (nearsightedness) 18% Non-strabismic binocular disorders 14% Strabismus 12% Amblyopia 7% Accommodative disorders

6% Peripheral retinal abnormalities, 2% requiring referral or follow-up

Astigmatism

The cornea/lens optical system is different in the horizontal and vertical focal planes

Found in combination with farsightedness and nearsightedness

Results in blur at distance and nearCompound-grind lenses focus light onto

the retina

Incidence of eye disorders, age 6 mos.

to 18 yrs. Hyperopia (farsightedness) 25% Astigmatism 23% Myopia (nearsightedness)

18% Non-strabismic binocular disorders 14% Strabismus 12% Amblyopia 7% Accommodative disorders

6% Peripheral retinal abnormalities, 2%

requiring referral or follow-up

Myopia (nearsightedness)

Too much focusing power causes light to be focused “in front” of the retina

Concave lenses focus light onto the retina

Early onset occurs between 2nd and 5th grades, onset most common between grades 6th and 10th

Many control methods examined, and none work!

Incidence of eye disorders, age 6 mos.

to 18 yrs. Hyperopia (farsightedness) 25% Astigmatism 23% Myopia (nearsightedness) 18% Non-strabismic binocular disorders 14% Strabismus 12% Amblyopia 7% Accommodative disorders 6% Peripheral retinal abnormalities, 2%

requiring referral or follow-up

Non-strabismic binocular disorders

The “binocular” system of humans depends on vision from each eye that is equally clear and overlapped into one image instead of double

Eye aiming can be miscoordinatedMany learning difficulties can result

from the eyes not easily aiming at the same point -- the more the effort, the more the fatigue, etc.

Incidence of eye disorders, age 6 mos.

to 18 yrs.Hyperopia (farsightedness) 25%Astigmatism 23%Myopia (nearsightedness) 18%Non-strabismic binocular disorders 14%Strabismus 12%Amblyopia 7%Accommodative disorders 6%Peripheral retinal abnormalities, 2%

requiring referral or follow-up

Strabismus “Eye turn”

Crossed eye, esotropiaWandering eye, exotropia

Double vision is uncommon because of brain adaptation called suppression

Treatments include: proper prescription, patch to equalize the individual eyes’ abilities, and surgery by age 2 for greatest chance at a functional cure

Incidence of eye disorders, age 6 mos.

to 18 yrs. Hyperopia (farsightedness) 25% Astigmatism 23% Myopia (nearsightedness)

18% Non-strabismic binocular disorders 14% Strabismus 12% Amblyopia 7% Accommodative disorders

6% Peripheral retinal abnormalities, 2%

requiring referral or follow-up

AmblyopiaPhrase “lazy eye” is often used to

describe amblyopiaPermanent reduction of an eye’s best

sharpness, even with glasses, that results from the brain constantly ignoring the image of an eye that is crossed or from an eye that is significantly different in prescription than the other eye

Incidence of eye disorders, age 6 mos.

to 18 yrs. Hyperopia (farsightedness) 25% Astigmatism 23% Myopia (nearsightedness)

18% Non-strabismic binocular disorders 14% Strabismus 12% Amblyopia 7% Accommodative disorders

6% Peripheral retinal abnormalities, 2%

requiring referral or follow-up

Accommodative disorders

Accommodation = ability to “zoom” focus on near objects

Problems can include insufficient amount of focus, overly active focus, lock of focus, and slowly shifting focus

The muscle that controls focus can be trained to work more efficiently

Bifocals can be used for children

Incidence of eye disorders, age 6 mos.

to 18 yrs. Hyperopia (farsightedness) 25% Astigmatism 23% Myopia (nearsightedness)

18% Non-strabismic binocular disorders 14% Strabismus 12% Amblyopia 7% Accommodative disorders

6% Peripheral retinal abnormalities, 2%

requiring referral or follow-up

Peripheral retinal abnormalities

Dilated eye examinations are periodically required to evaluate parts of the inner eye that can show abnormality

Examples include retinal degenerations, retinal detachments, and retinal tumors.

Inside the numbers... 26% of US population is less than 18

years of age

31% of those 6 to 16 years old had an eye and vision examination within the past year

14% of those less than 6 years old had an eye and vision examination within the past year

Vision checkups and screenings

Many people benefit from having their eyes tested with an eye chart to see if they see properly -- called a “screening”

Vision screening is never a replacement for a comprehensive eye examination Screenings check for vision

blurriness Exams evaluate vision blurriness,

PLUS eye muscle teaming, focus ability, and eye health

Why so few eye exams?Parent reliance on vision screenings,

provided by pediatrician or school

Cost to uninsured families

Lack of good public information as to the importance of periodic eye care

Unable to pay for professional care?

NOTE: Due to differences in state, province, and region free services, add info applicable to audience, or remove slide from presentation if services are unavailable.

The Role of Vision in Learning

The eyes must see clearly, without double vision, and with accurate depth of focus control

A child must have the visual ability to learn to read prior to reading to learn

When a child cannot learn, think first of their ability to see, then of their ability to learn

Comprehensive Eye Exams

Optometrists and ophthalmologists are eye doctors who provide eye examinations

Are easy and painless!Can find the problems that relate to

poor learningHere is a “peek”...

Color Vision

Depth Perception

Keratometry

Visual Acuity

Refraction

Eye Health Test

Eye Pressure

Eye Drops -- Dilating the Pupil

Eye Health Tests

The “Headlight” Health Exam

Tests for Babies and Young Children, too!

Questions??

Thank you!!