The future of vision screening

The future of vision screening is presently receiving heated debate. Recent federal legislative activity in the area of comprehensive health planning has caused renewed interest in vision screening. Optometric recommendations supported at various governmental levels call for the development of standards for comprehensive vision screening of school children on a national scale. This paper attempts to review the philosophy and justification for school vision screening and to bring the readers up to date on related governmental activity. The question of adequate manpower to implement a nationwide vision screening program is discussed, and an argument is developed for preparing school nurse practitioners to assume an expanded role in comprehensive vision screening.