Instrument-Based Visual Screening (12 months and 24 months)
At Timber Lane Pediatrics, we strive to follow national guidelines to provide your children with comprehensive care and are therefore are recommending instrument-based visual screening for your child.
Children rely on their vision to learn about the world around them. However, eye problems in children are widespread. In fact, 5%-10% of preschoolers and 25% of school-aged children have problems with their vision. Unfortunately, eye problems in children can be hard to detect because children do not typically complain about them. Amblyopia, often called “lazy eye,” is a serious eye problem affecting 2-4% of children and is the main cause of childhood vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment has been shown to yield better visual outcomes.
Instrument-based screening – photoscreening - is recommended by the medical community because it is an effective way to do vision screening for children who can’t yet read or talk. Photoscreening is endorsed and supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and the American Optometric Association (AOA).
Cost of Instrument-Based Visual Screening:
While photoscreening is recommended by several national guidelines, it may not yet be covered by your insurance. When considering the cost of photoscreening, it is important to keep in mind that photoscreening can help prevent permanent vision loss by helping pediatricians detect risk factors for vision loss. If photoscreening is not covered by your insurance, you will be required to pay $32 for the screening. You can choose to decline the screening. You can call your insurance and ask about their reimbursement for CPT code 99174.
What to expect during your child’s screening with GoCheck Kids
A photo of your child’s eyes is taken using the phone’s camera, and a screening result is provided to your child’s pediatrician. Your child’s provider will decide if your child should be referred to an eye care specialist