The EEM programme was created to target children failing school nurse screening and likely to not have access to eye care. The EEM visits schools in low income areas providing optometric examinations to detect correctable refractive error, prescribe and deliver glasses, and arrange paediatric ophthalmology examinations at no cost to the child. The authors aimed to assess the EEM programme ability to achieve its objective. From September 2006-June 2008, 6365 children were seen by EEM. 78.2% were given free glasses and 14.5% were referred to the ophthalmologist. For school screening, the false positive rate ranged from 0-44% (median 15.38, mean 16.11%). For a sample of those given glasses at four month follow-up, younger age was associated with increased odds of wearing the glasses as was lower grade at school. At 12 months, only higher glasses strength in near sighted eyes was associated with increased odds of wearing glasses. For ophthalmology referrals, 53.3% were recorded as attending. Referrals were for suspected amblyopia, glaucoma, ocular alignment or ocular motility abnormality / nystagmus. Only 6.1% were classified as resolved: the remainder required follow-up. The authors conclude EEM is effective with a requirement for school nurse training to reduce false positive screening and strategies to improve attendance at ophthalmology examination.
Effectiveness of Eagles Eye Mobile
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
The Eagles Eye Mobile: assessing its ability to deliver eye care in a high-risk community.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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