Users of PediaVision's Spot device conduct children’s vision screenings

Lake Mary, FL-To help give students a positive start to the new school year, hundreds of PediaVision customers are using the company's Spot device to conduct vision screenings for children.

"While back-to-school time is important, a growing number of Spot users are working throughout the year to ensure children's eye health," said Jeff Mortensen, PediaVision vice president.

More than 12 million school-age children, roughly 25%, go to school and cannot see the blackboard or even read their textbooks. The American Academy of Pediatrics states: "Eye examination and vision assessment are vital for the detection of conditions that result in blindness ... problems with school performance, or at worst, threaten the child's life."

"Children's eye exams are critical. Vision problems don't always manifest as squinting," said Dr. Stephanie Lyons, head of Lyons Family Eye Care in Chicago. "Kids with vision issues may act out or avoid reading. The implication is that these kids may have behavioral issues and they may have a hard time keeping up in school."