Information for Parents and Teachers

The Tohono O’odham Vision Screening Program is a collaborative research program conducted by The University of Arizona Department of Ophthalmology, sponsored by the Tohono O’Odham Nation, and funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute (NIH/NEI).

The program was developed because many Tohono O’Odham children and adults have an eye problem called astigmatism. By the time they reach preschool, about 1 in 3 (33%) Tohono O’Odham children require eyeglasses for astigmatism. By the time they reach elementary school, about 1 in 2 (50%) of Tohono O’Odham children require eyeglasses.

Astigmatism means that the front of the eye is not perfectly round (like the picture on the left)–it is shaped like an egg (like the picture on the right). This makes it difficult for the eye to focus. People with astigmatism can not see clearly up close or far away without eyeglasses.

Sometimes, if children don’t receive eyeglasses when they are young, they can not see normally when they first get their glasses. This is a condition called amblyopia. The treatment for amblyopia is to keep wearing the glasses. Therefore, it is important to provide children with astigmatism with glasses when they are young, so that they will be able to see well.

Who is eligible to participate?
From 2005 to 2010, children living on the reservation who are at least 6 months old through 1st grade are eligible to participate in the program.

What does the program include?
Children who are enrolled will receive a yearly vision screening (up to age 3 years) or an eye exam (older than age 3 years) until they complete 1st grade (or until 2010).

		Young children, between 6 months and 3 years of age, will receive a vision screening. If the screening indicates a possible problem, they will be scheduled to see the eye doctor.
		Older children, from 3 years through 1st grade, will receive a complete eye examination conducted by an optometrist or opthalmologist. Exams are usually conducted at Head Start Centers or at Schools.

Children who require eyeglasses will be provided with 2 pair of glasses–one to take home, and one to keep in the classroom. Repair and replacement of eyeglasses is also provided through the program. There is no charge for the vision screenings, eye examinations, or the eyeglasses.

How can I enroll my child in the program?
You can contact our staff in Sells at 383-6207 or in Tucson at 324-3162 to enroll. Enrollment forms are also available through Head Start and through the elementary schools on the reservation, or you can speak to one our staff at WIC clinics, which we often attend. We would be happy to talk with you about the program, and answer any questions you may have.

VISION SCREENING Infants and Toddlers (6 months–2 years) SureSight Vision Screener We use an instrument with green lights on the front of it to take a measurement of the child’s eye. The instrument does not touch the child’s eye. From the measurement, we can tell if the child has high astigmatism. Astigmatism Screener We use a video camera with lights on the front of it to take a picture of the child’s eye. From the picture, we can determine if the child has high astigmatism. Visual Acuity Screening We put an eye patch over one eye, so we can screen each eye separately. Screener shows the child cards with stripes on one side. We watch to see if the child looks toward the stripes. We keep showing finer and finer stripes, until the child no longer looks toward the stripes.

EYE EXAMINATION Preschool, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade First, we check each child’s vision. For younger children, we use an eye chart with pictures. For older children, we use an eye chart with letters.   Next, each child receives eye drops. The drops sting for a few seconds, like getting soap in your eyes. The drops help the doctor see inside the eye, and allow the doctor to determine if the child needs glasses.   Next, the child looks inside an instument called an autorefractor. The child looks at picture, and the instrument automatically measures the eye to determine if the child has astigmatism. The instrument does not touch the child’s eye.   Last, the doctor examines the child and determines if the child requires eyeglasses. If glasses are needed, a staff member helps the child choose a frame, and the glasses are ordered.

VISION TESTING Preschool, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade About 2 weeks after the eye exam, we return to the school for vision testing. Each child is tested with eyeglasses on, so we can determine their best possible vision.   First, we check each child’s vision with an eye chart. For younger children, we use an eye chart with pictures. For older children, we use an eye chart with letters.   Next, we check each child’s vision with stripes. We show the child cards with stripes on one side. We keep showing finer and finer stripes, until the child indicates that the stripes can no longer be seen.   After the vision testing is completed, the children who require eyeglasses to see well will be given their glasses to take home. A spare pair is given to the child’s teacher for use in case the child forgets to bring the glasses to school.

For more information,
please contact us!

Tucson Office
Joseph Miller, MD, MPH, Medical Director
Erin Harvey, PhD, Director
Velma Dobson, PhD
Candice Clifford-Donaldson, MPH
Tina Green, MS, RD
Phone: (520) 324-3162
FAX: (520) 324-3161

Sells Office
Irene Adams
Sonja Ortega
Phone: (520) 383-6207
FAX: (520) 383-8803

Mailing Address
Tohono O’odham Vision Screening Program
Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science
The University of Arizona
655 N. Alvernon Way, Suite 108
Tucson, AZ 85711

E-mail
TOVSP@eyes.arizona.edu