New technology fast tracks eye screening for children

BRIGHT Eyes Centre (BEC) in Berea will host an open eye screening day on Saturday, 16 November from 9am to 11am, where children can have their eyes tested with new technology recently acquired by the non-profit organisation.

Carron Strachan and Cathryn Aylett from BEC said they were extremely blessed to have the opportunity to be an agent for Peek A Vu, which has provided BEC with a machine that is used across 98 per cent of paediatric practices in Europe.

Speaking about the partnership, Cathryn said she and Carron recently attended a seminar hosted by Peek A Vu, where they were introduced to the device which was making its debut in the country.

“We were drawn to this as people who are involved in early intervention and early detection of visual issues. We met the women from Peek A Vu and we hit it off! We explained to them that we needed the device in the NPO sector, where it wasn’t yet available, and we came up with an agreement where they provided us with the device and support. We can now, as a NPO go into schools and offer eye tests to young children,” she said.

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The women said Peek A Vu is the only vision screening programme that allows for an entire class to be tested in less than an hour.

“Early intervention is key! We meet far too many parents with children of five or six years old who have gone their entire little lives with an undetected visual disorder or the appropriate intervention. On average one in every five, four-year-old and one in 20 children suffer from an undetected visual disorder. Considering that one third of the brain is dedicated to vision and 80 per cent of all consciousness and functionality is obtained through the eyes it only makes sense that we start taking action to prevent undetected disorders and provide the intervention necessary, starting as young as six months old. The reality is that our country doesn’t currently have the systems in place to screen the eyes of children under the age of six at their vaccination appointments or check ups,” said Carron.

The women said the eye screening is superior as ordinary school vision/acuity tests do not test refractive errors accurately.

The cutting edge technology means they make no physical contact with the child, but rather use infrared technology in the form of refraction measurement to determine whether there is an underlying visual impairment.

“The screening takes seconds. A single click of the device and we have an immediate pass or refer result. Most little ones have no idea they have just had their eyes tested. We do not need to rely on verbal feedback from the child, they don’t need to be literate or even co-operative. Think of it as taking a photo of your little ones eyes. Click and its done,” said Cathryn.

“We invite all families in our area to come and have their eyes screened on Saturday, 16 November. Not only will you leave with an immediate report to hand to your optometrist, but you will also have the feel good factor of knowing you have supported a local NPO in providing care and support to visually impaired children,” said Cathryn.

The cost is R200. Visit the centre at 135 Bellevue Road, Berea. Contact 078 059 3870.

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