Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between VERA SE and VERA 3?

The only program difference is that VERA 3 contains the vision skills screening and VERA SE does not. Both are sold as a one-time purchase, however VERA 3 is also available on an annual site license basis. VERA 3 requires both sets of testing glasses (one for the routine screening, one for the skills screening) and VERA SE requires one set of testing glasses (for the routine screening).

Q: Does VERA contain a test for near vision?

A: NO. Although VERA does not test near vision separately, abnormal near vision is covered by the other VERA tests and is not necessary. Poor near vision is due to a combination of excessive hyperopia, astigmatism or binocular dysfunction. A student with poor near vision will therefore fail either the distance visual acuity, hyperopia or binocular vision screening tests and be referred.

Q: Does VERA test for color vision?

A: NO. Due to differences in monitors and their settings for brightness and contrast, software-based color vision testing without dedicated hardware is likely to be inaccurate. Since many schools are required to test color vision only once in early grades, alternate color vision testing using Isochromatic plates or other standardized methods is recommended.

A. NO. VERA is not specifically listed along with older, more generic vision testing methods or devices but VERA utilizes clinically accepted screening methods which are equivalent or superior to these approved screening devices and techniques. VERA has been developed by a team of eye doctors, school nurses and school administrators. At this time, over a million students from nearly every state have been screened with VERA.

A: YES. VERA will meet or exceed the requirements of your state regulations. In other words, VERA will identify virtually all students which your state defined vision screening requires, with the exception of color vision.

YES. However, running just the skills screening is not recommended unless the student has passed the VERA routine screening. Skipping the routine screening may yield false positives as routine eye problems may be mistaken for skills difficulties.

A: UNLIMITED. The purchased VERA software license allows for unlimited use on a single computer. For VERA 3 site licenses, unlimited use during an annual subscription period is allowed.

A: YES. VERA software will run on most laptops with minimum: Pentium III, 500Mhz, 256Mb RAM, and a compatible video card. If a laptop is used, care should be exercised in maintaining optimal viewing conditions of the laptop screen, which is generally less bright and with a narrower viewing angle.

A: YES, depending on the security protocols and user access privileges of the network.

A: YES, but only if additional licenses are purchased for each computer. Alternately, a site license may be purchased for your entire facility, district, etc.. The single user license is intended to be for a single computer.

A: YES. Registered users may purchase additional testing glasses to replaced ones lost or damaged.

A: YES. You will need to purchase a new VERA program but you can continue to use your current testing glasses for routine vision screening. You may import your screening data to the new program.

A: This is because students younger than those in second grade may have a developmental lag and not an actual vision skills issue, while much older students generally have issues which are more deeply ingrained and therefore less amenable to intervention. Students higher than grade 8 may be screened; their results will be slightly less accurate.

A: On average, 5 -10 minutes; less when using VERA 3 "SmartScreen" mode. Of course, completed reports are to be included in this time frame as well.

A: VERA will meet or exceed the screening outcomes requirements for every state. VERA uses clinical and testing logic which do not require all the manual tests. The following are general guidelines:

Note that the cover test, near point of convergence and corneal light reflex tests are all out-of-instrument tests which are not provided by any routine screening devices. VERA uses clinical and testing logic which reduces or eliminates the need for these manual tests. As such, it is accurate to state the "VERA exceeds the performance of all state vision screening requirements."