A Review of Childhood Vision Screening Laws and Programs Across the United States

Many organizations recommend childhood vision screenings. Furthermore, 42 out of 50 states in the U.S. have laws requiring these examinations looking for multiple ocular abnormalities that can lead to amblyopia, which has the potential to result in lifelong visual impairment. Currently, South Dakota is not a state with similar aforementioned law. The purpose of this research was to examine vision screening laws and programs across America to potentially provide a framework from which South Dakota could adopt its own law.

This is a healthcare policy review of childhood vision screenings across the U.S. government websites and departments of education and/or health were contacted for information regarding laws and their processes of vision screenings. The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (USD SSOM) Pediatric Residency Program was queried on their current practice. The 14 largest school districts in South Dakota were questioned on their policies. Other current regular childhood health screenings in South Dakota were also investigated.

Most states utilize the public school systems and school personnel in performing screenings. The USD SSOM Pediatric Residency Program routinely screens children at kindergarten physical exams. The majority of the largest school districts in South Dakota routinely screen their students using a variety of methods. There are a few other routine health screenings covered by insurance and Medicaid in South Dakota.

South Dakota does not have a law requiring childhood vision screenings. Despite this, many screenings are still performed in schools or in medical offices.