The Effect of an On-Site Vision Examination on Adherence to Vision Screening Recommendations

Abstract

Vision screenings are intended to efficiently identify students with possible visual impairment and initiate a referral for diagnosis and treatment. In many cases, at-risk students do not access the recommended care or experience delays in receiving care. The purpose of this article is to report the effect on adherence to vision screening recommendations by providing the eye examination at the students' school and at no cost. Of the 1,306 students screened, 382 (29.2%) were identified with possible visual impairment. Parental consent for examination was obtained for 198 (51.8%) students. Our vision screening and examination program yielded similar adherence to follow-up as stand-alone vision screening programs. Future program considerations should address perceptual barriers that may be contributing to parental nonadherence to vision screening recommendations.

Eyes That Thrive in School: A Program to Support Vision Treatment Plans at School

“…Thus, school personnel were not aware of when, or for how long during the school day a child should wear eyeglasses, or how a child's vision condition might impact his or her behavior and performance at school. This is consistent with school‐based vision care initiatives nationally: children are screened and may receive follow‐up eye care, but families and school personnel do not have the support, information, or resources to make compliance with treatment plans prescribed by an eye doctor a priority . Recognition of these limitations provided the basis for development and implementation of the Eyes that Thrive in School (ETT) program at ABCD HS centers during the 2011‐2012 school year.…”

“…These programs made great strides in connecting children to comprehensive eye exams, but had limited success in monitoring or improving compliance with eyeglass wear. Typically, new school policies with ongoing support for treatment plans had not been included in the interventions …”

“…Typically, new school policies with ongoing support for treatment plans had not been included in the interventions. [16][17][18] The ETT program was successful in achieving excellent compliance with eyeglass wear, with participating children wearing their glasses as prescribed on 93% of school days during the study period. Further, few eyeglass replacements were needed during the study period.…”

“…3,6,[13][14][15] In response, significant efforts are underway to improve vision screening in schools and the connection with follow-up eye care, resulting in more children receiving diagnosis and prescriptions for eyeglasses. 2,13,[16][17][18][19][20] However, this success is only useful if children adhere to the prescribed treatment plans.…”

“…This is consistent with school-based vision care initiatives nationally: children are screened and may receive follow-up eye care, but families and school personnel do not have the support, information, or resources to make compliance with treatment plans prescribed by an eye doctor a priority. [16][17][18]21 Recognition of these limitations provided the basis for development and implementation of the Eyes that Thrive in School (ETT) program at ABCD HS centers during the 2011-2012 school year.…”