App Review: Near/Distance Vision Screening & Testing

[coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN]

One of the first things I noticed when I started my new School Nurse position this past fall was how outdated the vision charts were. Through researching the different types of vision charts, I came across the Near/Distance Vision Screening & Testing App for iPads by Good-Lite Company Apps. Good-Lite Company manufactures vision screening instruments and vision charts. They use guidelines and recommendations by the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) who has awesome video tutorials on vision testing for School Nurses. In the past few months, I've learned to really appreciate this mobile and versatile app as I test my students from school to school.

App: Near/Distance Vision Screening & Testing

Platform: Apple

Price: $49.99

Features

• Near and distance vision charts with 10ft/20ft equivalents
  
• Variety of charts: LEA Symbols, HOTV, LEA Numbers, and Sloan Letters
  
• Scramble button to change the order of the optotyopes and prevent memorization
  
• Continuous Text Reading
  

Why It's Awesome

I have 3 schools I'm in charge of and 2 offices. Instead of ordering 3 sets of vision charts it was nice to just pull out the iPad, which is with me all the time anyway, so I can test anywhere and at anytime. Not to mention the app includes LEA and HOTV symbols so that's even more less charts to buy for school nurses with younger students. The scramble button is my favorite feature to use for when I have multiple students waiting or when I know the student is trying to peek while switching the occulder between eyes. Not to mention the students think it's pretty cool and it's easier to get my "difficult" students to pay attention to the computer screen. There's also less lines (7) than the normal, full-size chart so it's less daunting for students who get nervous in front of vision charts.

Where It Falls Short

The price is a bit steep at $50, but when you look at the bigger picture this app will save you money as it's 8 vision charts in one. It can also be difficult measuring out the 10ft. distance from the iPad to the student and luckily my District provided iPad has a cover that converts in to a stand. The app is also only for iPads with high resolution displays. If you have an iPad older than the iPad 3 then this app won't be for you. However, Good-Lite Company has another app with AAPOS for vision screening for those of you with older iPads or on a budget at only $29.99. However, it doesn't have the multitude of options that this app brings to the table.

Overall

This is a fantastic app for the School Nurse on the go and will save you $$$ in the long run. My high school students love it and I love how I can prevent cheating with the scramble button. It's a great investment and an awesome way to make technology work for you. This app is a great asset to my job and hopefully it will be for yours.

[100kids, BSN, RN]

wow! thanks for the review. I may look into this.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i would love if my district would get me an ipad! I could do my charting on the go, I could get cool apps like this and god only knows what else... but it's not bloody likely!

[AdobeRN]

We were given small ipads to use. Problem is that it does not work with the software (eschool) we use to chart visits. The only thing it is good for is reports - I can run a report, change to PDF and download it to the ipad. For me at this time the ipad is useless.

[100kids, BSN, RN]

we have eschool too and I have been complaining to them vigorously about how their system is not ipad compatible. I'm hoping they will fix that soon!

[coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN]

The last nurse asked for the iPad and they gave it to her. I mostly only use it for my vision screenings, Google, and the software program we use for the District I can access from the web. I can chart if I see a student outside my office, in wifi areas. I have other nursing related apps on it too that I might review here as well.