Paediatric screening

The screening of eye diseases, which starts at birth can detect anomalies that can be reversible if detected early and treated.

The main goal of this screening is to detect situations that can lead to debilitating conditions such as amblyopia and in this way, prevent or minimize the damage to the eyes.

With this in mind, the health professional has to do a certain number of tests.

 

Translated from : Ministère des Affaires Sociales et de la Santé, Dépistage des troubles visuels chez l'enfant, Guide pratique, Juin 2009
Age	Test
First few weeks	Investigation of an organic anomaly Investigation of cataract, retinoblastoma Investigation of strabismus
4 months	Fixation : monocular and binocular Investigation of nystagmus, amblyopia
9 to 15 months	Several tests : investigation of amblyopia
After 2 years 1/2	Measurement of visual acuity
Around 5 years	Visual acuity : scales of letters and numbers
Around 5-6 years	Color vision test: investigation of dyschromatopsia

 

Discover more information about all the tests on the page What is an eye exam ?

 

Child's eye diseases

Some eye diseases, or eye disorders, are apparent from childhood :

• The eye and the brain are not working together properly : this is called Amblyopia.
• Strabismus begins frequently before 2 years of age.
• Cataract can be present from birth following after a genetic disease or an infection.
• Infectious conjunctivitis is common among infants.
• Retinoblastoma affects infants and children.

 

Adults' screening

 

 

For adults, a regular medical examination by an ophthalmologist enables the precocious detection of potential eye diseases.

Some eye diseases stay asymptomatic over a period of several years, and when the patient perceives signs, it shows an advanced stage of the disease.

The risk of certain eye diseases increases with age which is why a frequent medical examination enables a treatment and the reduction of irreversible damages for the vision.

As there is no universal recommendation regarding the frequency of eye screening, it depends on each patient, and on each context. It needs to be discussed with the ophthalmologist.

Nevertheless, it is recommended to see a health professional each year to do a vision test.

 

 

Adults' eye diseases

With aging, some eye diseases can appear :

• Presbyopia results in the inability to focus up close, a problem associated with refraction in the eye.
• The risk of Retinal Detachment increased from 40 years of age, as the retina is thinner.
• Macular Degeneration Age Related affects patients over 50 years old, when the small central portion of the retina deteriorates.
• Cataract is frequent seen among patients over 60 years old.
• The frequency of Glaucoma progressively increases from the age of 40.