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A parent calls the school nurse with questions regarding the recent school vision screening. Snellen chart examination revealed 20/60 for both eyes. Considering the visual acuity results, the nurse informs the parent that the child

a. Should have an optometric examination.
b. Is suffering from strabismus.
c. May have presbyopia.
d. Has vision issues most likely due to cataracts.

1 Answer

1 vote

Final answer:

A 20/60 result on a Snellen chart vision screening indicates the child has below-normal visual acuity and should have an optometric examination to determine the cause and proper treatment. This result does not directly suggest strabismus, presbyopia, or cataracts without further examination.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a child's vision screening using a Snellen chart results in a 20/60 score, it implies that what the child can see at 20 feet, a person with normal vision could see at 60 feet. This is a clear indicator that the child's visual acuity is below the normal range. It does not, however, specify the underlying cause, which could range from simple refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) to more complex conditions.

Therefore, the nurse's recommendation for the child to have an optometric examination is correct. This comprehensive eye exam will help determine the exact nature of the vision problem and the appropriate treatment, which could include prescription glasses, contact lenses, or other interventions. Conditions like strabismus (misalignment of the eyes), presbyopia (age-related difficulty in focusing on close objects), and cataracts (clouding of the eye's lens) have specific characteristics and are not typically diagnosed solely on the basis of a Snellen chart test result.

User Justin Buser
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