School-Based Delivery of Vision Care in Chicago Public Schools.

Background: In 2012, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Department of Public Health partnered together to create the Chicago School-Based Vision Program (CSBVP). This ongoing, city-wide program provides school-based vision services (eye examinations, eyeglasses provision, and eye care referrals) to students with limited access.

Methods: Descriptive analysis of the program operations from 2012 to 2020, including number of students served and exam findings during 2017-2020, as well as lessons learned and recommendations for reproducing the successes of the CSBVP in other contexts.

Results: During its first 8 years, the CSBVP provided eye examinations to over 350,000 students. During the years 2017-2020, this included 126,238 eye exams and provision of eyeglasses to 73,751 students.

Conclusions: The CSBVP is built upon strong community and school relationships. The program offers vision services, equitably, to all students across the district. The lessons learned through the implementation of the CSBVP may provide guidance for future district-wide vision programs.