KidSight

The Kentucky KidSight Program is proud to be part of the Lions Club International's KidSight USA Program. The Kentucky KidSight program is a vision screening program started by the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation in 2003 in which Lions Clubs and volunteers throughout the Commonwealth organize and conduct vision screenings for children ages 6 months to 6 years old.

What does a screening cost?

The screenings are FREE thanks to the support and volunteer efforts of Kentucky Lions Clubs and Program supporters.

Why should my child's vision be screened?

The first few years of a child's life are critical in the development of good vision. Vision problems are not always evident and it is difficult for young children to acknowledge and communicate that their vision is blurred or different. Each day that eye problems go undetected and untreated, a child's vision may deteriorate to the point of irreversibility. The earlier that conditions are detected, the more easily and successfully they can be treated.

How is a vision screening done?

It is as simple as having your child's picture taken. Local Lions Club members and volunteers are trained to use a high-tech camera which takes an image of your child's eyes to detect eye disorders or vision problems in children who are too young to realize or communicate these problems.

What eye conditions does the screening test?

* Myopia (Nearsightedness) - Causes the eyes to focus incorrectly, making distant objects appear blurred.

* Hyperopia (Farsightedness) - Causes difficulty seeing objects that are near. Small levels of farsightedness are normal for young children but high levels can cause problems. Left untreated, hyeropia can contribute to crossing of the eye or poor vision in each eye.

* Astigmatism - A condition in which the cornea has an abnormal curve, causing out-of-focus vision.

* Strabismus - When the eyes are not directed to an object simultaneously. Sometimes the eyes deviate inward and other times the eyes deviate outward.

* Anisometropia - A condition in which the two eyes have unequal refractive power. This can adversely affect the development of binocular vision in infants and children. The brain will often suppress the vision of the blurrier eye in a condition called Amblyopia, or lazy eye.

* Anisocoria - Slight differences in pupil sizes are found in healthy people. Unequal pupil sizes with a difference of more than 1.5 mm may be a sign of an eye, brain, blood vessel or nerve problem.

What happens if a possible problem is detected?

The screening equipment used in our screenings have over a 90% accuracy rate and the results of the screening will be produced immediately. If your child's results recommend a complete eye exam do not be alarmed but please take your child to your preferred eye care provider for followup.

THIS IS ONLY A SCREENING!

Medical professionals will need to further examine your child to diagnose any problems.