OPHTHALMOLOGY > BINOCULAR AUTOREFRACTOR

	plusoptiX S09 Professional amblyopia screening for babies
	Why vision screening?
	According to the Vision In Preschoolers Study (http://www.nei.nih.gov) vision disorders are the fourth most prevalent class of disability in the United States and the most prevalent handicapping conditions in childhood. Limited vision hinders a child's academic performance, athletic accomplishment, and professional perspectives. Many vision disorders may be cured successfully if detected and treated early. But only 14% of preschool children receive a comprehensive eye exam. Vision screening provides basic prevention of amblyopia and assures that low vision due to refractive error and strabismus is not hindering mental and physical development to the remaining 86% of all children.
	Why screening babies?
	Amblyopia can be prevented if the causes, i.e. refractive error and/or strabismus, are detected and treated early. A british study (British Medical Journal 324, 29 [2002]) shows that treatment success declines considerably after the age of three years.