Parents Active for Vision Education

P.A.V.E.®

DO YOU HAVE A VISION PROBLEM?

Self-Assessment Check List

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This Self-Assessment Checklist Can Reveal Vision Difficulties

Your visual system can undergo tremendous stress these days. Students now read three times the number of textbooks their grandparents did. Adults constantly use their near vision at their work. And the growing use of computers has engaged a growing number of workers in prolonged, near-vision tasks.

Eye discomfort, headaches, blurred vision, lowered visual performance a wide variety of vision-linked problems are related to this heavy vision load in the neat, arm's-length distance.

Human beings weren't designed to do this stressful seeing less than arm's length away. We have hunter eyes for survival, spotting game and enemies at a distance. Only in the last half century have so many people been forced to deal with sustained, near visual tasks. The result has been a constant stress on the visual system, producing many of the symptoms and problems described in this self test.

Many people who report these symptoms also have 20/20 eyesight at distance, yet just can't handle the visual stress associated with near vision tasks. Visual stress is linked to the development of permanent vision conditions such as nearsightedness, astigmatism and other problems that affect how one lives and even behaves.

Effects of visual stress

When visual stress is present, people react in these ways:

1. avoid the task by doing as little as they can get by with;

2. experience pain or other symptoms (aches, visual and/or overall body fatigue, falling asleep when reading, etc.);

3. suppress the sight of one eye (at the cost of reduced efficiency and understanding);

4. develop myopia or astigmatism, or

5. any combination of the above.

For most people, the response to stress is reduced achievement and understanding.

How To Use This Test

The questions in this self test cover the most common symptoms optometrists observe in their patients. If you experience one or more problems on the list, it may be time to contact a behavioral optometrist. Take this self-test with you on your first appointment. The results will help with the assessment of your visual problem.

VISUAL FUNCTION SELF TEST

YES - NO

____ ____ Do you wear glasses for your reading?

____ ____ Do you enjoy reading?

____ ____ Do you think you should be able to read faster?

____ ____ Do you understand what you read as well as you'd like?

____ ____ Is it an effort to maintain your concentration while reading? (Short attention span.)

____ ____ Do you tend to skip words or lines of print while reading?

____ ____ After reading, do you look up and notice that distant objects are momentarily blurred?

____ ____ Does print tend to appear blurry after reading for awhile?

____ ____ Do your eyes itch, burn, water, pull or ache? (Check the problems you experience.)

____ ____ Do you ever experience double vision while reading?

____ ____ Do words appear to float or move while reading?

____ ____ Do you tend to lose your place while reading or copying?

____ ____ Do you tend to use your finger or a marker to keep your place while reading or copying?

____ ____ Do you have to re-read words or lines while reading?

____ ____ Do your eyes feel tired at the end of the day?

____ ____ Do you sometimes have to squint, close or cover one eye when reading

____ ____ Do you ever experience headaches during or after reading?

____ ____ Are you especially sensitive to sunlight or glare?

____ ____ Are you aware of any tendency to move your head closer to, or away from what you are reading?

____ ____ If you use a computer, does the video (VDT) screen bother your eyes?

______ How long can you read before you are aware of your eyes getting tired?

______ How many hours daily do you spend at a desk, or reading, or at other arm's length vision distances.

What Is a Behavioral Optometrist?

Behavioral optometrists spend years in post- doctoral education to master the complex visual programs prescribed to prevent or to normalize -visual problems and enhance visual performance. Behavioral optometry is an umbrella term which also includes developmental and functional optometric practices. Not all optometrists practice behavioral optometry. To find one who does, call or write Optometric Extension Program Foundation Vision Extension.

Optometric Extension Program Foundation Inc.
2912 So. Daimler St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714)250-8070
Pamphlet Copyright by OEP Foundation, 1984
Devoted to research and education in vision
10/89 #A-130

Permission to reprint the contents of this brochure #A-130 granted to P.A.V.E ® - 12/6/96 by:

Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Inc.

1921 E. Carnegie Ave., Ste. 3-L

Santa Ana, CA 92705-5510

(714)250-8070

For additional information you may contact:

Parents Active for Vision Education (P.A.V.E.)

National Headquarters

9620 Chesapeake Drive, Suite 105

San Diego, CA 92123

(619) 467-9620 / FAX (619) 467-9624 or
1-800-PAVE-988

You may contact P.A.V.E ® at our e-mail address: [email protected]

College of Optometrists in Vision Development (C.O.V.D.)

P.O. BOX 285

Chula Vista, CA 91912-0285

(619) 425-6191 / FAX (619) 425-0733

Optometric Extension Program Foundation (O.E.P.)

2912 S. Daimler Street

Santa Ana, CA 92705

(714) 250-8070 / FAX (714) 250-8157

Last Update January 27, 1997

You may contact the WebMaster at: [email protected]

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