About
C.A.S.A. Vision Screener
The C.A.S.A. Vision Screener is a self testing vision chart, which was developed by Dr. Cianciullo and Dr. Yalovsky in response to a need for vision screening of the general population. The C.A.S.A. Vision Screener is sensitive to vision changes resulting from pathological (i.e. disease) or physiological (i.e. aging) reasons. Thus it will serve to help in the tracking of a disease process (i.e. diabetes, macular degeneration) by detecting the associated shifts in vision which are manifested during the course of the disease.
History
The idea for the chart came when Dr. Yalovsky’s son developed a cataract at the age of six. Untreated, his son could have gone blind. Passionate about developing a quick and easy diagnosis for detecting vision difficulties, Dr. Yalovsky developed a screener with Dr. Cianciullo with a grant from Pfizer. The company’s first major project involved placing these screeners in all Pharmaprix pharmacies. They were positioned in the waiting area adjacent to the prescription counter.
The pharmacy offered vision screening as well as its many other health services (ie. Blood pressure monitoring). Pfizer was integral in sponsoring this project. More recent projects included establishing the presence of these screeners in optical retail outlets. Johnson & Johnson Vision Care endorsed this endeavor. With these charts strategically placed in the waiting area/frame room, ample opportunity was provided for passerby traffic to engage in self-testing.
Partnership program conducted with Visine. (French only).
Present & Future
With the beginning of a new decade in 2020, C.A.S.A. Vision will now focus in distributing the C.A.S.A. Vision/Amsler Grid self-testing vision screeners exclusively in senior homes.
In many senior homes, we see the presence of a family doctor, nurses, pharmacies, but rarely eye care professionals. We have noticed that when the elderly enter senior homes, they rarely go see an eye doctor for eye exams outside of their residence. As a result, many don’t see well because ocular illnesses like macular degeneration (glaucoma, cataracts, etc.) get undiagnosed and lead to blindness.
This increases the risk of seniors frequently falling. Many studies have demonstrated that the elderly in senior homes that become blind due to macular degeneration usually develop severe depressions. With depressions, many seniors end up with a weakened immune system; which can then lead to complications when infected by COVID-19, other viruses or bacterial infections.
If the elderly in senior homes can monitor their vision and ocular health by utilizing the C.A.S.A. Vision/Amsler Grid self-testing vision screeners, many cases of BLINDNESS will be avoided. That is, the C.A.S.A. Vision/Amsler Grid vision screeners will alert the seniors of a vision problem; therefore, directing them to go see an eye doctor for treatment outside their residence. It is important to note that age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness for seniors.
Optometric Board
Dr. Domenico Cianciullo O.D.
Optometrist – President
Dr. Dominic Cianciullo graduated from the University of Montreal from the Faculty of Optometry in 1982 and has been practicing since. He has owned a number of optometric practices and is the founder of C.A.S.A. Vision Inc.
Contributing Doctors
Dr. Cyril Archambault M.D
Involved in the scientific study of the C.A.S.A. Vision Screener
Dr. Earl Azimov B.Sc. O.D.
Optometrist
Dr. Razek Georges Coussa M.D.
Involved in the scientific study of the C.A.S.A. Vision Screener
Dr. Claude Giasson O.D. Ph.D.
Optometrist, Adjunct Professor, School of Optometry at the University of Montreal
Dr. David E. Lederer M.D.
Retinal Ophthalmologist. Involved in the scientific study of the C.A.S.A. Vision Screener. Is a consultant for Alcon Inc., Bayer Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Dr. Kurt E. Schirmer M.D. F.R.C.S.C. F.A.C.S.
Ophthalmologist
Dr. Barbara K. Teboul M.D. F.R.C.S.C.
Ophthalmologist, Adjunct Professor at McGill University
Dr. David Yalovsky O.D.
Optometrist. Involved in the clinical study of the C.A.S.A. Vision Screener