11/21/2025
My child had a vision screening at school – do they still need an eye exam?
A vision screening is a preliminary assessment to identify children who may have vision problems. Screenings typically focus only on distance visual acuity (how clearly a student can see the chart across the room). They are not performed by licensed medical eye professionals and do not check for other eye health or visual dysfunctions.
A comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist is a complete evaluation of your child’s eye health and vision. An exam will test for visual acuity in addition to other important aspects of eye health and eye function, like how well the eyes focus up close and how well the eyes work together. The optometrist will prescribe corrective lenses if needed to ensure your child’s vision is corrected and their education is not delayed.