Agenda Item
a. Spot Vision Screeners (Not to Exceed $356,675)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kishia K. Towns, Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the purchase of 55 Spot Vision Screeners from School Health for elementary schools for an amount not to exceed $356,675.
Why: Early identification of vision problems is essential to student health, academic performance, and long-term educational success. Implementing Spot Vision Screeners in every school provides an equitable, efficient, and highly accurate method for detecting potential vision issues before they interfere with learning. Traditional acuity charts alone cannot detect many of the most common childhood vision disorders (see attached). Spot vision screeners close this gap by offering a fast, reliable, evidence-based screening tool suitable for all ages and diverse student populations.
Details: The Benefits of Spot Vision Screeners are as follows:
1.) Fast & Efficient: Screens each student in 2-5 seconds; reduces instructional disruption and staff workload; and enables district-wide compliance with state screening requirements for evaluation.
2.) Accurate & Objective: Provides automated, standardized results; reduces false positives and unnecessary referrals; and produces immediate parent-ready reports.
3.) Equitable for All Students: Effective for students who are non-verbal, developmentally, delayed, behaviorally challenged, and unable to respond to acuity charts), while ensuring consistent screening quality across all schools.
4.) Eliminate damage/replacement costs due to transporting between schools.
Financial impact: The purchase of the Spot Vision Screeners is a budgeted expense from Charge Code: 100.2300.573000.00011.7020.9999.8010.090.0000. The total financial impact shall not exceed $356,675.
Contact: Kishia K. Towns Ph.D., Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678-676-1913
Rhonda Cooper RN, MSN., Senior Coordinator, Student Health Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678-676-20024
Effective: Upon Board approval.
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs.
Common Childhood Vision Disorders
1. Refractive Errors
Refractive errors occur when the eye does not bend (refract) light properly. They are the
most common cause of vision problems in children.
• Myopia (Nearsightedness): Trouble seeing far away; distant objects look blurry.
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Trouble focusing up close; reading may be difficult.
• Astigmatism: Blurred or distorted vision at all distances due to an irregular cornea.
2. Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia occurs when the brain favors one eye over the other, leading to reduced vision
in the weaker eye.
• Often caused by strabismus, significant refractive error, or eye obstruction (e.g.,
ptosis).
• Without treatment, vision loss can become permanent.
3. Strabismus (Eye Misalignment)
A condition where the eyes do not align or work together.
• Types include esotropia (eye turns inward), exotropia (turns outward), hypertropia
(up), or hypotropia (down).
• Can lead to amblyopia if not corrected.
4. Convergence Insufficiency
Difficulty coordinating both eyes when focusing on close tasks, such as reading.
• Symptoms include eye strain, headaches, double vision, and loss of place while
reading.
5. Color Vision Deficiency (Color Blindness)
Difficulty distinguishing certain colors, typically reds and greens.
• Often hereditary and more common in boys.
• Affects classroom tasks that use color coding.
6. Ptosis (Drooping Eyelid)
Drooping of one or both eyelids that may block part of the child’s vision.
• Can contribute to amblyopia if severe.
7. Cataracts (Pediatric Cataracts)
Cloudiness of the eye’s lens that can be present at birth or develop in childhood.
• Can cause visual impairment and require surgical correction.
8. Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
Occurs in premature infants when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina.
• Can affect vision development and may require treatment.
9. Nystagmus
Uncontrolled, repetitive eye movements that may reduce vision and make it difficult to
focus.
10. Ocular Allergies (Allergic Conjunctivitis)
While not a structural vision disorder, allergies can cause blurred vision, itching, tearing,
and discomfort impacting school performance.
Resources
https://preventblindness.org/eye-problems-adults-children/
https://aapos.org/home