VISION SCREENING

The UK National Screening Committee has recommended (2013) that ‘child vision screening’ should take place in primary schools, with the aim of identifying children with reduced vision. Early detection means that effective treatment, such as glasses or patching, can be quickly offered.

Having reduced vision can have a major impact on a child’s learning and general development. The childhood vision screening programme is the only chance for all children to get their vision tested formally so that problems can be identified and tackled quickly at the start of their school life.

 

The screening test and communication of test outcome

• All children who commence the screen are tested using a crowded logMAR acuity testing card (Keeler), with screening undertaken in an orthoptist-led screening service.
• An orthoptist-led service is one in which the screening test is delivered by a registered orthoptist or by a vision screener with competency confirmed by a registered orthoptist.
• Children who have already been prescribed glasses or contact lenses should wear them for the test.
• Children unable to complete the screening test due to lack of co-operation or any other reason either undergo a second testing attempt, or are referred directly onto community or hospital eye services. If a child fails their vision screen they are referred to an Orthoptist immediately.
• The outcome of the screening test should be communicated to the child’s parents / carers as soon as possible.