Improving access to vision screening in urban Philadelphia elementary schools

Background The Wills Eye Vision Screening Program for Children is a community-based vision screening program for children in urban Philadelphia elementary schools that aims to provide vision screening, remedy refractive error by providing glasses, and refer children with suspected nonrefractive eye disease for eye care. Methods Children in grades K-5 from 45 Philadelphia elementary schools were screened for distance and near visual acuity, stereopsis, and color vision from January 2014 to June 2015. Children who failed were assessed by an on-site optometrist. Two pairs of eyeglasses were provided at no cost. Children with suspected, nonrefractive disease were referred to Wills Eye Hospital Pediatric Ophthalmology and contacted by a social worker to schedule an appointment. Results Over 84 days, 10,726 children were screened for vision problems at 45 schools. A total of 1,321 children (12%) had refractive error and 1,015 children (77%) returned the consent form and received two pairs of glasses. Of the 509 children (5%) referred to Wills Eye, 177 returned consent forms and were not being followed by an ophthalmologist. Of these, 127 children (72%) completed an eye examination at Wills. Conclusions The program described herein can provide comprehensive vision screening, with eyeglasses and/or referrals, to children within an underserved community.