DeKalb Township and the Lions of Illinois Foundation will host a Free Children’s Vision Screenings as well as Retinal & Hearing Screenings on June 3 from 9 AM to 3 PM at 2323 South Fourth Street, DeKalb. Both children and adults are encouraged to participate.
Children 6 months to 6 years of age (accompanied by a parent or guardian) are eligible for a screening for early vision disorders. Using a specialized camera, both eyes are screened at once from a nonthreatening 3-foot distance. The screening starts with a single touch to the camera, which initiates the capture of results for both eyes in seconds. Parents are given a PASS or REFER reading after their child’s screening. PASS means that the child’s vision is within the normal range. REFER means that they should be seen by an eye doctor.
This screening is not considered an examination by an optometrist as required by ISBE for school entry, but it is a good intervention tool and can detect early problems so medical treatment can be sought.
This screening is meant for the early detection of the following eye disorders, but not as a tool for diagnosis:
• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Astigmatism (blurred vision)
• Anisometropia (unequal refractive power)
• Strabismus (eye misalignment)
• Anisocoria (unequal pupil size)
• Media Opacities (cataracts or corneal scars)
• Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Adults 55 and older can elect to have a retinal screening completed. During the free screening, a photograph will be taken of the participant’s eyes/retina. The test takes about three minutes and results will be forwarded to the Illinois Retina Associates where they will be reviewed by a retinal specialist. Results will then be mailed back to the participant.
The following 4 eye diseases can be detected through this vision screening:
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Retinitis Pigmentosa
• Macular Degeneration
• Detached Retina
Children (10 and older, accompanied by a parent or guardian) and adults of all ages can also receive a hearing screening. A hearing screening is NOT a complete hearing examination. It is a gross hearing measurement to determine only if the individual is hearing within normal limits. To fail a hearing screening is not a sufficient diagnosis of a hearing impairment. However, it is an early warning sign that should encourage persons failing the screening to seek a complete hearing evaluation.
This is a Free event! Early detection is key to preserve and treat hearing and vision abnormalities.
Register at https://dekalbtownship.org/events/ or call 815-758-8282 to reserve your spot.
Original source can be found here.
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