Abstract
Objective
In August 2018, Ontario introduced the Child Visual Health and Vision Screening Protocol
outlining school-based senior kindergarten (aged 4–6 years) vision screening. We determine
the prevalence of children at risk based on screening in an Ontario community and
follow up to determine resource utilization after screening.
Methods
Vision screening data (HOTV, Randot, Autorefractor) from 41 schools (1127 children)
were collected for the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 school years. Phone follow-up was conducted
1–1.5 years after screening to determine whether an optometry visit occurred, if glasses
were prescribed, and potential barriers to accessing eye care. Independent t tests were used to compare time to follow-up between groups, and χ2 testing was used for associations between material and social deprivation.
Results
Overall screening resulted in a 32.2% referral rate within our region. Of the referred
children who responded, the rate of seeking out eye care was 69.9% (n = 64), and 65.2%
of these visits were prompted specifically by vision screening, and 34.4% of referred
children respondents were prescribed glasses. There was a significant relationship
between receiving a referral and living in a more materially deprived (p = 0.001) and a more socially deprived area (p = 0.006). The most frequently reported barriers were related to insufficient insurance
coverage for eye care or glasses, COVID-19-related difficulties, and scheduling conflicts.
Conclusion
Our vision screening program identified and referred more than one third of children
screened for follow-up eye examinations, with children in more deprived neighbourhoods
being more frequently referred. Around two thirds of referred children sought care,
and one third were prescribed glasses in the follow-up sample.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 04, 2022
Accepted:
April 10,
2022
Received in revised form:
February 27,
2022
Received:
November 5,
2021
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
