Vision screening of preschool children in Italy.

Vision screening of preschool children is designed and performed to identify those affected by amblyopia or related, predisposing visual defects. In order to determine the prevalence of preschool vision screening in Italy, a questionnaire was mailed to the 635 regional health offices in which the country's national health system was organized at the time of the study. Results of this survey demonstrated that in 61.3% of the regions which responded, some form of preschool vision screening is performed. However, individual, non-standardized methods are used by the physicians or health care professionals responsible in each regional program. It is evident from this study that standardized procedures for preschool vision testing are lacking in Italy, and that the existing European Community guidelines should be disseminated and applied on a greater scale for the development of such a program on the national and European level.

Feasibility study of radiation protection guidelines in the use of building materials in the Italian dwellings.

The Italian situation concerning the indoor radiation exposure is examined. A tentative comparison of the risk connected with radon and radon daughter indoor exposures and other every day life risks is made. The social economic impact of imposing possible constraints on home building industry is also discussed.