Undetected Vision Disorders Are Blinding Children; Earlier Testing Needed To Preserve Good Eyesight

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LANCASTER, Pa., March 5 -- One in 20 American children has a serious eye disorder. Without early intervention and treatment, those children -- approximately 1.2 million kids -- will suffer permanent vision damage. Earlier vision testing enables treatment when it is still effective. Unfortunately, current testing methods pediatricians and other primary care doctors use for preverbal children (age 3 and under) will often miss serious eye problems.

Most American children get their first full vision examination when they start school and are old enough to read an eye chart. Sadly, that is usually too late for effective treatment of serious eye disorders such as amblyopia ("lazy eye"). The best age to detect and treat such conditions is between one and three years. The sooner a problem is detected, the easier it is to treat -- or even cure.

Refractive errors, astigmatism, cataracts and strabismus can lead to amblyopia, which is a loss of vision caused by uneven strength of the eyes. Amblyopia is treatable if caught early. Treatment involves wearing glasses, patching the eye, eye drops, or surgery. Children who receive early treatment often go on to enjoy a lifetime of good vision. However, if treatment is not started early, vision damage is permanent and can even lead to blindness. In fact, amblyopia is the leading cause of monocular blindness today.

It is an insidious condition. In a recent article on amblyopia, Dr. James D. Reynolds of the University of Arkansas School of Medicine writes, "Amblyopia is a very common, serious disease of childhood that often has no signs or symptoms. Without early and proper treatment, it can produce a lifetime visual disability."

But a revolutionary new camera, the MTI PhotoScreener, can effectively screen preverbal children for eye problems. This camera, which works on children as young as six months, takes special Polaroid photographs that show if a youngster has a vision disorder. The PhotoScreener test takes less than two minutes, produces instant results, doesn't require messy eye drops or restraints and is painless. That means that pediatricians, family physicians, eye care professionals and health screening organizations can easily add it to their routine testing procedures for young children.

The MTI PhotoScreener takes a special photograph of a child's eyes that detect vision problems. Any potential disorder shows up as a crescent on the photograph. The PhotoScreener does not take the place of a full ophthalmic exam; if a problem is detected, the child should receive further testing from an eye care professional.

Comprehensive research conducted by the University of Iowa proves the MTI PhotoScreener works. Dr. Bill Scott, author of the study, has said, "The MTI PhotoScreener is an accurate and reliable device designed to detect amblyogenic factors in young children. The camera offers promise as a mass-screening tool."

Developed by a pediatric surgeon and an ophthalmologist, the MTI PhotoScreener is now being distributed around the world. Primary care doctors, eye care specialists, hospitals and health screening groups are using this new FDA cleared camera to check for vision problems in preverbal children.

The product is manufactured by Medical Technology and Innovations, Inc., a publicly traded firm based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. For more information, contact Liesa Hall of Andrews, Sacunas and Saline, at 717-233-8853.

CONTACT: Liesa Hall of Andrews, Sacunas and Saline, 717-233-8853, for Medical Technology and Innovations