Lessons Learned From School-Based Delivery of Vision Care in Baltimore, Maryland.

In an effort to address health care disparities in pediatric eye care, school-based vision programs have been established. These programs, while not universally available, have been established at individual schools or across school districts in at least 20 states in the United States (US). They play a critical role for students who are not accessing eye care, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Effect of a Randomized Interventional School-Based Vision Program on Academic Performance of Students in Grades 3 to 7: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Uncorrected refractive error in school-aged children may affect learning.

Objective: To assess the effect of a school-based vision program on academic achievement among students in grades 3 to 7.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted in Baltimore City Public Schools during school years from 2016 to 2019 among 2304 students in grades 3 to 7 who received eye examinations and eyeglasses.

Refractive Error Findings in Students Who Failed School-based Vision Screening.

Purpose: To report refractive error findings in Baltimore City schoolchildren who failed school-based vision screenings.

Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, students pre-kindergarten through 8 grade who failed screenings during school years 2016-2019 received an eye examination, including non-cycloplegic autorefraction and visual acuity (VA) measurements. Refractive error was identified when there was at least: -0.

Analysis of vision screening failures in a school-based vision program (2016-19).

Background: Vision screenings of a school-based program were conducted in state-mandated grades (pre-kindergarten [pre-K] or kindergarten [K], 1st and 8th grade), and nonmandated grades (2nd to 7th).

Methods: During school years 2016-19, 51,593 pre-K to 8th grade students from 123 Baltimore City Public Schools underwent vision screenings, with 85% of the schools qualifying for Free and Reduced Price Meals. Assessments included distance visual acuity, Spot photoscreening, stereopsis, and cover testing.