Spot Vision tester

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Our district bought one of these and we went to get "certified" for us to use it yesterday afternoon. This machine is like something Bones would use on Star Trek. You aim it at a face and - BAM! - eye exam done in a few seconds, complete with all the stats like axis, and other stuff I'm ignorant of. It tests for astigmatism, strabismus, and a couple other eye conditions. Of course, Texas will only allow its use to screen kids 5 and under but that would help with PK and most of KG, life skills, etc. It seems to good to be true and stuff that seem to good to be true usually turn out that way. Have you guys had experience with this thing?

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
We have one in our district and I used it to do all of my mandated grades.. 1, 3, 5. Had them (330 kids in those grades) done in 3 hours. It was awesome. I did get a lot more fails than normal, but that's because it picks up on things that the eye chart can't like stigmatism and such.

That's reassuring - thanks

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Specializes in School Nursing, Telemetry.

The local Lions Club in our area uses the Spot screeners for all ages K-7. They seem to work very well and they're super quick. We had six of them and screened our 425 K-3rd graders in a couple hours. It was awesome.

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We use it to screen routinely at 18months & 3 years. If there are concerns you can use it in as young as 6 months I believe. I'm surprised you need to be certified. This thing is about as simple to use as it gets. Those who are non-verbal or have other special needs can be screened with this with ease. I LOVE this thing. It is pretty expensive so don't drop it!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
We use it to screen routinely at 18months & 3 years. If there are concerns you can use it in as young as 6 months I believe. I'm surprised you need to be certified. This thing is about as simple to use as it gets. Those who are non-verbal or have other special needs can be screened with this with ease. I LOVE this thing. It is pretty expensive so don't drop it!

More good info. The certification is a state requirement. The rep did tell us not to use it without the wrist strap on!! Thank for the info.

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Sounds like a dream come true. Just looked up the Welych Allen one. Over $6000!!! Wonder if I could do a go fund me[emoji38]

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Well this was sounding really sweet, until the price tag… Dang

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Thankfully, we have an outside company do this and hearing screens, and I don't have to worry about it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, Hospice, School.
The local Lion's Club has this and they come in and do the vision screens, makes my life so much easier!

What area of the country do you work in? Is this common practice that the Lion's Club does your screenings where you're at? I'm jealous and think it's time for me to consider changing districts! :mad:

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
What area of the country do you work in? Is this common practice that the Lion's Club does your screenings where you're at? I'm jealous and think it's time for me to consider changing districts! :mad:
Check with your area Lions Club. That service may be available to you.
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Specializes in 12 years as a school nurse.

The Lions club used the welch-allyn one for the first time this year for preschool through 12th grade at my school. I was not expecting this device to be used, but just went along with it. It was great and easy to use, BUT it does not give results in 20/20, 20/50 type readings, and the website gives an "approximate conversion chart" from the +/-number/decimal result to 20/20 result. Maybe I'm picky, but my state requires results to be reported as 20/**, and an approximate conversion is not good enough for me. I re-screened all the ones that flagged "complete eye exam recommended". not sure what I'll do next year.

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
Thankfully, we have an outside company do this and hearing screens, and I don't have to worry about it.

Slacker.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
Slacker.

Funny, that is my nickname at the hospital.

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