A Survey of Vision Screening Policy of Preschool Children in the United States

Ciner, Elise; Dobson, Velma; Schmidt, Paulette P.; Allen, Dale; Cyert, Lynn; Maguire, Maureen G.; Moore, Bruce; Orel‐Bixler, Deborah; Schultz, Janet K

doi:10.1016/s0039-6257(99)00021-1

Cited by 69 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Referral criteria typically are 2 or more lines of acuity difference between the eyes but vary both by age and by the organization publishing the criteria. 109 Other traditional techniques screen for stereopsis, binocularity, or strabismus. Despite the time-honored nature of traditional screening, most of the techniques used for preschool vision screening are variable in their application, and none has been adequately validated in large field populations using nonprofessional screeners.…”

Section: Screening For Amblyopiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between Anisometropia, Patient Age, and the Development of Amblyopia

Donahue

2006

American Journal of Ophthalmology

117

113

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Section: Screening For Amblyopiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between Anisometropia, Patient Age, and the Development of Amblyopia

Donahue

2006

American Journal of Ophthalmology

117

113

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“…6 As many as 34 states have endorsed programs for vision screening to improve the rates of preschool vision screening. 7,8 However, there is state-to-state variability regarding whether the programs are mandated, as well as how they are implemented. In addition, studies in primary care settings indicate that few preschool-aged children are screened for vision problems.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Project Universal Preschool Vision Screening: A Demonstration Project

et al. 2006

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OBJECTIVES. Visual disorders among preschool-aged children are common, yet screening is infrequent. The purpose of this project was to implement the vision screening recommendations proposed by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and National Eye Institute Vision Screening in the Preschool Child Task Force: monocular visual acuity and stereopsis testing.METHODS. Four sites fully participated in the implementation of the task force recommendations with 3-and 4-year-old children. Two of the sites worked with primary care practices (testing performed by staff); 2 worked with communitybased programs (testing performed by lay volunteers). Each site tracked number of children screened by age, as well as proportion testable, referred, and with documented follow-up evaluation.RESULTS. Variations in implementation of the recommendations were observed. Successful screening among 3-year-olds ranged from 70% to 93%; referral rates were 1% to 41%, and follow-up rates were 29% to 100%. Successful screening among 4-year-olds ranged from 88% to 98%; referral rates were 2% to 40%, and follow-up rates were 41% to 100%. The proportion of 3-year-olds who were treated was significantly different between the community-based sites (n ϭ 20) and the primary care sites (n ϭ 2). Similarly, the proportion of 4-year-olds who were treated was significantly different between the community-based sites (n ϭ 36) and the primary care sites (n ϭ 11).CONCLUSIONS. The variability across pilot sites in numbers successfully screened and numbers referred suggests that all aspects of preschool vision screening need thorough review before the goal of universal preschool vision screening can be realized. 5 In a joint policy statement with the AAO, the AAPOS, and the American Association of Certified Orthoptists, the AAP recommended that physical inspection of eye functioning and overall eye health begin at birth and that "objective evaluation" of acuity be initiated by 3 years of age. 6 As many as 34 states have endorsed programs for vision screening to improve the rates of preschool vision screening. 7,8 However, there is state-to-state variability regarding whether the programs are mandated, as well as how they are implemented. In addition, studies in primary care settings indicate that few preschool-aged children are screened for vision problems. [9][10][11] In 1998, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), collaborated with the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and various national and state agencies to review research and policies related to vision screening in preschool-aged children. The specific mission was to determine "useful screens to efficiently detect amblyopia risk factors and other significant problems" and "to provide and evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of ocular screening services for young children, including photoscreening technology." An expert panel, the MCHB/NEI Preschool Vision Screening Task Force, was convened in Septem...

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“…Despite the existence of such recommendations, current practice within the USA is totally non-standardised, with much variability by state and locality. This was highlighted by Ciner et al 6 who recommended that specific components of a preschool vision screening programme ought to be considered; including the tests to be conducted, parental education of the condition, and recording and referral criteria.…”

Section: What Is Screening?mentioning

confidence: 99%