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Vision and eye health in children 36 to <72 months: proposed data system
E Eugenie Hartmann1, Sandra S Block, David K Wallace
1*PhD †OD, MEd, FAAO ‡MD, MPH University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry, Birmingham, Alabama (EEH); Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois (SSB); and Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Eye Center and Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina (DKW).
Insights
Developing an integrated data system for preschool vision screening is crucial. This system will track screening and follow-up care, improving children's eye health outcomes and ensuring timely treatment.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Ophthalmology
- Health Informatics
Background:
- Vision screening for preschool children is widely recommended.
- Current systems lack data on screening rates and follow-up care effectiveness.
- There is a need to ensure children receive necessary comprehensive eye exams after failing screenings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a rationale for an integrated data system for preschool vision screening and eye care follow-up.
- To offer guidance on the elements, characteristics, and architecture of such a data system.
- To address the lack of data and effective follow-up systems in children's vision care.
Main Methods:
- Recommendations developed by a National Expert Panel.
- Guidance on specific data system elements, characteristics, and architecture.
- Alignment with the proposed national approach to integrated health information systems.
Main Results:
- Expansion of integrated health information systems to include child-level vision screening data, referrals, and treatment records.
- Enhancement of young children's eye health at child, healthcare provider, and epidemiological levels.
- Consistency with the National Health Information Infrastructure initiative.
Conclusions:
- Involvement of end-users (screening and eye care professionals) is critical for system development and implementation.
- Professionals are key stakeholders for ensuring quality eye care for children.
- Opportunities exist at all levels for professionals to contribute to data system development guidance.
Purpose:
This article provides a rationale for developing an integrated data system for recording vision screening and eye care follow-up outcomes in preschool-aged children. The recommendations were developed by the National Expert Panel to the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness and funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services. Guidance is provided regarding specific elements to be included, as well as the characteristics and architecture of such a data system. Vision screening for preschool-aged children is endorsed by many organizations concerned with children's health issues. Currently, there is a lack of data on the proportion of children screened and no effective system to ensure that children who fail screenings access appropriate comprehensive eye examinations and follow-up care.
Results:
The expansion of currently existing, or developing integrated health information systems, which would include child-level vision screening data, as well as referral records and follow-up diagnosis and treatment, is consistent with the proposed national approach to an integrated health information system (National Health Information Infrastructure). Development of an integrated vision data system will enhance eye health for young children at three different levels: (1) the child level, (2) the health care provider level, and (3) an epidemiological level.
Conclusions:
It is critical that the end users, the professionals who screen children and the professionals who provide eye care, be involved in the development and implementation of the proposed integrated data systems. As essential stakeholders invested in ensuring quality eye care for children, this community of professionals should find increasing need and opportunities at local, state, and national levels to contribute to cooperative guidance for data system development.
