Overview

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the difference between a vision screening and an eye exam.
• Name 3 key indicators that a vision screening may be needed.
• Identify how to get vision screenings and when to refer for eye exams.

Presenters:

• Megan Flowers, M.Ed, Ohio Department of Education. Megan has been in the Office for Exceptional Children at the Ohio Department of Education over two years providing technical assistance and professional development to districts throughout Ohio. Megan is certified as a K-12 Moderate to Intensive Special Education Intervention Specialist with a Reading Endorsement and a PreK-6 Principal. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from The University of Cincinnati. She has over 15 years of experience working with students with disabilities, specifically students that have orthopedic impairments, multiple disabilities, sensory disabilities, are medically fragile and have complex communication needs. Megan has spent most of her life in central Ohio and enjoys continuing use of her sign language skills through community courses.
• Alison B. LaBarre, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB) and Ohio School for the Deaf (OSD). Drl LaBarre leads the Statewide Services team who provides assessments and consultation for learners who are blind/visually impaired or deaf/hard of hearing. She has presented at state and national conferences on topics related to middle level education and the educational needs of the exceptional child.
• Molly Nelson, Ohio Department of Health is the public health vision consultant working with the Children's Vision Program at the Ohio Department of Health. She is a licensed optician with an advanced certification from the American Board of Opticianry and uses her experience to guide and train schools in what is necessary to complete the required school vision screenings.
• Douglas Widmer, OD, Ohio State University. Dr. Widmer is a full-time associated faculty member. He received his Doctorate of Optometry in 2011 and his Masters in Vision Science in 2016 from The Ohio State University College of Optometry. He has worked at The Ohio State University since 2018. He teaches in the following clinics/labs: Binocular Vision and Pediatrics, Vision Therapy, Primary Vision Care, Grade School Screenings, and Preschool Screenings. He as published one publication since 2011.