VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The following is a news release by the City County Health District Office in Valley City.
“With the financial help of two local organizations City-County Health District (CCHD), Valley City, was able to purchase a new Plusoptix vision screening system for the early detection of vision disorders in children (preventative eye care). These vision disorders can cause permanent loss of vision if they are not detected and treated in the early years of a child’s life.
Through generous donations from the Valley City Lions Club and Valley City Eagles Aerie 2192, this new system will replace the Sloan Letters and Lea Symbols vision charts utilized for many years at the public health unit. “It used to take 3-5 minutes to check a child’s vision using the older system,” said Kristen Bear, RN, Health Tracks coordinator at CCHD. “We get results within seconds using the Plusoptix system.”
To detect vision disorders, the Plusoptix Vision Screener measures the sphere, cylinder, axis, line of vision and pupil size of both eyes at the same time. All measurement values are compared with age-based referral criteria. A “Refer” reading is automatically displayed as a precautionary result for every patient requiring an ophthalmologist appointment.
“Preventive eye care with the Plusoptix Vision Screener doesn’t replace the eye examination carried out by an eye care professional,” said Theresa Will, CCHD administrator. “An eye care professional remains the only person qualified to interpret the measurement values and establish a diagnosis. The measurement values can’t be used directly to prescribe glasses or contact lenses.”
All patients who are not already being treated by an eye care professional should undergo a preventive eye care exam. The first preventive eye care exam should be performed before the child’s first birthday. In the event of a family history of visual disorders, an earlier preventive exam at ages between five and eight months is recommended.
“We are so grateful to the Lions and Eagles organizations for their donations toward the purchase of this new vision system,” said Will. “We look forward to offering this service to school students and Health Tracks clients in the months ahead.”
