Evaluation of a combined school-based vision screening and mobile clinic program

Effective vision screening programs for children require follow-up with eye care providers, but studies demonstrate poor follow-up rates after failed screenings. Programs have attempted to address this issue by providing free examinations and glasses after failed screenings. This study presents data from a mobile clinic program that provides instrument-based vision screening, eye examinations, and free glasses directly to children at school.

Between 2018 and 2021, a nonprofit organization provided in-school instrument-based screening and noncycloplegic examinations and refractions in elementary, middle, and high schools. Deidentified screening and clinic data were reviewed retrospectively. Information about each school regarding total student enrollment, enrollment based on race, and number of economically disadvantaged students was obtained from the Virginia Department of Education.

In the 2019-2020 school year, 14,006 students from 58 schools were screened, and 4,238 (30.3%) were referred. The percentage of economically disadvantaged students was positively correlated to referral rate (R² = 0.406). Between 2019 and 2020, the mobile clinic examined 3,095 students from the same 58 schools. Of these, 72.9% were prescribed glasses, and 16.3% were referred for a more comprehensive eye examination and treatment. Students were also diagnosed with cataracts, nystagmus, amblyopia, and strabismus.

A combined screening program and mobile clinic traveling directly to schools can provide a pipeline for delivering eye care to vulnerable populations.