Optometry Professor Presents at Congressional Briefing

TAHLEQUAH Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry Professor Dr. Lynn Cyert was one of the featured speakers at a Congressional briefing hosted by the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research.

The briefing examined the impact of childrens vision research conducted by the National Eye Institute within the National Institutes of Health. Cyert, a principal investigator in the NEI-funded Vision in Preschoolers (VIP) Study, described the studys goal to evaluate vision screening tests to determine which are best for identifying preschoolers with ambylopia (lazy eye), strabismus (misaligned eyes), and refractive error (farsightedness and astigmatism) who need referral to an eye care practitioner for a complete eye evaluation.

Although primary study results are in, researchers are seeking additional NEI funding to expand the research into whether having preschoolers with refractive error wear eyeglasses improves their school readiness and educational achievement later on.

Will eyeglasses help their readiness? Eye care practitioners generally use their intuition instead of real proof that these young children benefit from eyeglasses, Cyert said. We want to find out if it is worth the effort and expense to put them in glasses at such a young age.

She also spoke briefly about the challenges presented by the disproportionate incidence of diabetic retinopathy in the Native American population since she also provides eye care services to the Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Program.