Referral outcomes from a vision screening program for school-aged children

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Eye Care
• Public Health

Background:

• School-based vision screenings are crucial for early detection of childhood eye conditions.
• Underserved populations often face barriers to accessing necessary follow-up eye care.
• Timely diagnosis and treatment are vital to prevent vision impairment, especially for conditions like amblyopia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the ocular diagnoses and follow-up care patterns of children identified through a school vision screening program.
• To assess the effectiveness of social worker support in facilitating comprehensive eye examinations for referred children.
• To identify barriers to completing recommended eye care among elementary school students.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of students in grades K-5 from Philadelphia public schools.
• Analysis of data from children referred to a pediatric ophthalmology service following vision screening.
• Inclusion of demographic information, ocular diagnoses, treatments, and follow-up compliance.

Main Results:

• Out of 10,726 screened children, 509 (5%) were referred; only 127 (25%) completed the examination.
• Common diagnoses included refractive error (76%), amblyopia (43%), and strabismus (16%).
• Many children (58%) had multiple diagnoses, including potentially vision-threatening conditions.

Conclusions:

• The program successfully identified vision-threatening conditions in underserved children.
• Social worker support and financial aid facilitated eye care access, but consent was a significant barrier.
• Improving consent processes is essential to ensure referred children receive timely ophthalmic consultations.