The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), which oversees the Arizona Medicaid program that provides health care coverage for qualified participants. Vision services are covered for free for AHCCCS recipients under age 21.

Also called “lazy eye,” refers to decreased vision in an eye that otherwise appears normal. Occurs as a result of the connections between the eye and brain not working well.

Blurry vision at all distances caused by irregularity in the shape of the cornea or lens of the eye.

Also called “photoscreener,” refers to a specialized camera that takes pictures of the eyes. It is used to provide vision screening for young children age 5 and under.

The inability to see all colors. Usually a child with color blindness can see some colors but not others and often do not know he/she sees colors differently. Eye doctors can test a child for color blindness by asking him/her to name pictures with patterns of colored dots. A child with color blindness will not see some of the patterns.

The ability to see all colors.

The ability to see the world in three dimensions (3D) and the distance of an object.

A condition also known as “farsightedness” that causes near objects to appear blurry and distant objects to appear normal. It occurs when images come to focus behind, instead of on top of the retina of the eye.

An AHCCCS program that provides health care coverage to children under age 19. KidsCare is for children who do not have health insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid. Families must pay a monthly premium.

A government health insurance program for qualifying low-income individuals. AHCCCS is the agency in Arizona responsible for administering Medicaid.

A condition also known as “nearsightedness” that causes distant objects to appear blurry and objects up close to appear normal. It occurs when visual images come to focus in front of, instead of on the top of the retina of the eye.

Medical doctor (MD) who spectializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye exams, diagnose and treat disease, prescribe medication and corrective lenses as well as perform eye surgery.

An instrument used by doctors for inspecting the inside of an eye.

Doctor of optometry (OD) who examines eyes for both vision and health problems, and prescribes corrective lenses.

Doctor of Optometry (MD) who has additional special training to examine eyes for both vision and health problems, and prescribes corrective lenses for children.

Doctor of optometry (OD) who examines eyes for both vision and health problems, and prescribes corrective lenses for children.

Everything that is seen outside the central area of focus, including side vision.

Also called “autorefractor”refers to a specialized camera that takes pictures of the eyes. It is used to provide vision screening for young children age 5 and under.

Enlarging the pupil (dark part of the eye) with special eye drops to allow eye doctors to examine the inside of the eye and make a more accurate diagnosis. After having pupils dilated, children may have light sensitivity and blurry vision for a brief period. Sunglasses can help with the light sensitivity. Children can return to school after having their eyes dilated, but the teacher should be notified of the blurred vision side effect.

When a student has mastered the reading age/grade level expectations. A child’s reading proficiency by third grade is the most important predictor of high school and career success.

How light from an object bends as it passes through the eye to focus on the retina.

Vision conditions that occur when light rays from an object don’t focus on the back of the eye (retina) properly. Refractive errors include myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Refractive errors are the most common vision problems in children.

Also called a “phoropter,” refers to a vision testing device with multiple lenses that a child looks through to measure the refractive error and determine the need for an eyeglass prescription. It is commonly used by eye doctors during an eye examination for older children.

A thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the back of the eye located near the optic nerve. The retina is responsible for converting light from the eye lens into signals that are sent to the brain for visual recognition.

A tool used by eye doctors during an eye examination to determine refractive error by shining light into the eye to observe the reflection of light off the retina (back of the eye). A retinoscope is especially useful in young children who can’t look through a refractor.

A special tool used by eye doctors to get a magnified look at parts of the eye.

Ability of both eyes to see the same object as one image and to create a perception of depth. It is a measure of how well both eyes work together. Also known as stereoscopic depth perception.

Also called “cross eyes,” is any misalignment of the eyes, and can be a cause of amblyopia.

The set of 10 categories of services that health insurance plans must cover under the Affordable Care Act.

The absence of vision, or a loss of vision that can’t be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

Vision exercises prescribed by some optometrists to improve visual skills and abilities.

A measure of how well a child sees. “Normal” vision is 20/20. This means that a child sees the same line of letters at 20 feet that a child with normal vision sees at 20 feet. 20/40 vision means a child sees at 20 feet what a child with normal vision sees at 40 feet.

The ability to move the eyes from left to right or focus on an object as it moves across a child’s visual field. This skill typically develops by age five and is important for all daily activities, including playing, reading, writing, and drawing.

A complete physical exam where your health care provider will check your child’s growth and development in order to find or prevent problems. Hearing, vision, and other screening tests will be part of some visits. Even if your child is healthy, well-child visits are a good time to focus on your child’s wellness.