Free Back-To-School Vision Checks Offered Nationwide

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CLEVELAND, July 23, 1996 -- If a student's vision doesn't meet the grade, his or her performance in school may not be a true indicator of academic capabilities. Give your children a head start in school this year with a vision check, free of charge, at the fourth annual All American Eye Check Day, on Sunday, August 4, from noon to 4 p.m, at more than 700 Sears locations across the country. No appointment is necessary. The screening takes five to seven minutes to complete and is open to adults as well as children.

For children as young as 2-1/2, the Lea Symbols Test, will be used to measure sharpness of near and far vision. Developed by Finnish ophthalmologist Lea Hyvarinen, M.D., an international specialist in visual assessment of children, the Lea Symbols Test creates a play situation by using familiar shapes -- a circle, a square, a house and a heart -- instead of letters of the alphabet.

For older children and adults, the Snellen chart (E-chart) will be used to measure sharpness of distance vision. The Near Vision Reader Card will be used to check near vision.

A vision check is a good first step in protecting eye health and preventing unnecessary blindness. Further visual evaluation and a comprehensive eye examination are recommended when the check indicates a possible vision problem.

"Through these vision checks, we can detect vision problems in a substantial number of people who do not realize they are having a vision problem," said Dr. Michael Cohen, Sears Optical director of professional services. "Children particularly don't know when they aren't seeing properly."

According to Prevent Blindness America, the nation's leading volunteer eye

Behavior

• Rubs eyes excessively.
  
  
• Shuts or covers one eye.
  
  
• Tilts or thrusts head forward.
  
  
• Has difficulty with reading or other close-up work.
  
  
• Holds objects close to eyes.
  
  
• Blinks more than usual or is irritable when doing close-up work.
  
  
• Is unable to see distant things clearly.
  
  
• Squints eyelids together or frowns.
  
  

Appearance

• Crossed or misaligned eyes
  
  
• Red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen eyelids.
  
  
• Inflamed or watery eyes.
  
  
• Recurring styes (infections) on eyelids.
  
  
• Color photos of eyes show white reflection instead of typical red or no reflection.
  
  

Complaints

• Eyes itch, burn or feel scratchy.
  
  
• Cannot see well.
  
  
• Dizziness, headaches or nausea following close-up work.
  
  
• Blurred or double vision.
  
  

If a child exhibits one or more of these signs, seek professional eye care.

All American Eye Check Day ushers in National Eye Exam Month, an educational and philanthropic effort sponsored by Sears Optical and Prevent Blindness, during which many independent Doctors of Optometry associated with Seers donate to Prevent Blindness' sightsaving programs. Additionally, Sears will donate $1 for every screening performed this year to support the sightsaving programs of Prevent Blindness America. National Eye Exam Month donations during the last seven years have totaled more than one million dollars.

For free information on a broad range of eye health and safety issues, consumers can call Prevent Blindness America's toll free number, 1-800-331-2020, during regular business hours or visit them on the World Wide Web at http://www.prevent-blindness.org, their Internet address.

* from "Signs of Possible Eye Trouble in Children," a brochure published by Prevent Blindness America.

CONTACT: Leslie Resnik of Liggett-Stashower Public Relations, 216-348-8500