Comparison of vision screening performed by optometrists and nurses

The rates of patient referral by optometrists and nurses working independently and conjointly in vision screening of schoolchildren are compared. Very few studies in the literature have examined the difference in referral rate; this difference is important because of the shortage of qualified manpower to screen the large number of children in the present school population. The study determined that the nurses correctly referred a greater percentage of children following an educational program and collaboration with the optometrist, but this increase in referral was not statistically significant.