Up to 100,000 to 125,000 infants and young children suffer unnecessary and permanent vision loss each year. This disparity in health is attributed to strabismus and low visual acuity. Difficulty in screening preverbal children as well as problems of follow-up and access to vision care have been noted. Further, our research shows that 93% of pediatrician referrals of children under 5 to a university pediatric ophthalmologist were based on parent concerns rather than tested reduced vision, and that over 70% of the referrals were unwarranted. Additionally in 50% of school referrals, there was no reported care obtained and there was no systemic method of follow-up available. Now, using new automated, digital screening technology that also establishes a computerized data base for follow-up, a community partnership has been established with the nation's 8th largest school district, community clinics for low income and uninsured children, a foundation and a university department of ophthalmology which is conducting a model, community- wide program of vision screening and care for underserved infants and young children. The automated digital screening system detects risk factors for as well as media opacities with a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 83%. The initial phase of the program screens 8,000 young low income and uninsured children as well as children who are not meeting grade level achievement, and refers approximately 15% for further evaluation and care in a mobile vision clinic that also provides glasses, if needed, on site.
Learning Objectives: List 3 barriers to prevention of amblyopia in preverbal children Articulate a community outreach program for identifying and correcting vision problems in preverbal and young children
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.