The purpose was to examine the treatment that children underwent as a result of being identified with reduced vision at school screening. The level of improvement in vision was identified and the time taken to achieve maximum visual acuity. There were 7807 children screened over a 10 month period. Three hundred and nineteen (4%) failed the screen and were referred to the general optometry service (GOS). There were 547 (7%) referred to the community children’s eye service (CCES). Data were available for analysis from CCES: 434 (79.4%) attended their first appointment of which 375 (86.4%) were positive referrals. False positive rate was 13.6%. Two hundred (46%) had visual acuity <0.22logMAR in both eyes; 310 (82.7%) were given glasses; 66.4% hyperopic, 27.7% myopic, 4.2% astigmatic and 1% mixed. Prescription ranged from -6.50DS to +9.50DS. A total of 8.3% had strabismus or ocular motility disorders. Four percent required ophthalmic referral. Of 310 given glasses, 31.6% had visual acuity of better than 0.2 logMAR by six week follow-up and were discharged to local optometry services. By 18-22 weeks follow-up a further 52.6% had visual acuity of better than 0.2 logMAR and were discharged while 20% needed occlusion. Results of this study show vision screening in school aged 4.5 years is effective in identifying children with reduced vision. Children completing their treatment had a 93% chance of normal visual acuity (better than 0.2) and two thirds had treatment completed within three visits.
Comparison of vision screening programmes
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
Final visual outcomes and treatment received for children referred from a UK primary school visual screening programme: a comparison of an orthoptic-led programme and orthoptic-delivered service.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
View Full Profile
