Chicago-Area Pediatricians Offering Unique Test To Detect Vision Problems In Children As Young As Six Months Of Age

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 27 May 2009 - 3:00 PDT


If your child had vision problems, you'd be able to tell, wouldn't you? Maybe not, says Barry Goldman, M.D., pediatrician at Children's Health Center in Gurnee.

"Children are incredibly adaptable and learn to cope with vision deficits, even those they've had since birth," says Dr. Goldman "This allows many childhood vision problems to go undetected, which can lead to learning issues and behavioral problems, especially as children enter school and have difficulties as a result."

Approximately 200,000 children are born each year with vision deficits, making vision problems one of the most common pediatric health issues in the United States. However, until a child can accurately respond verbally to the letters on a standard eye chart (typically around school age), it is often difficult, even for doctors, to determine if a child is seeing properly. However, a new, child-friendly test being offered by Dr. Goldman's practice and several others in the Chicago area is providing parents with objective information about the development and function of their children's vision system.

Using Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) technology, the Enfant(TM) Pediatric VEP Testing System provides pediatricians with a unique diagnostic tool to assess patients as young as six months of age. Treatment of a vision deficit is most successful when it is detected early.

The Enfant objectively detects issues earlier than traditional vision tests because it works by using VEP and proprietary software to evaluate the child's entire vision system (from the eye to the brain) without the need for the patient to respond. The test utilizes a flat panel screen that features fun, child-friendly characters and graphics accompanied by music. The test can be completed in five to seven minutes, during a standard well check-up, and is reimbursable by most insurance carriers.

"Early detection of a vision deficit leads to early referral to an eye care specialist for earlier treatment, which means better outcomes for the patient," adds Dov Shapiro, M.D., pediatrician at Associated Pediatric Partners (two locations in Northbrook and Buffalo Grove).

Dr. Shapiro has been utilizing the Enfant test on children of all ages for several months. He recommends children have annual testing with the device through age eight. Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have issued policy statements recommending that vision screening start as early as six months of age.

Source: Diopsys

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