Analysis of a community vision screening program

For 3 consecutive years a community vision screening program has been conducted on-site at the Walker Eye Clinic of the Indiana University (IU) School of Optometry. A group of 490 screened patients, including 86 who returned for comprehensive evaluation, was retrospectively studied for a variety of characteristics. It was determined that the typical participant was likely to be an adult female who learned of the screening program through the written media. She was likely to have had a previous vision examination but it probably took place 3 or more years earlier. She usually failed the vision screening for reasons of reduced visual acuity, a problem with binocularity or asthenopia. If she returned to the Walker Eye Clinic for a comprehensive examination, she was likely to do so within 5 months and would be found to have been accurately identified as being in need of vision care. The organization and implementation of this vision screening program are described, and its value as an educational tool for students of optometry and its technician program is discussed.