Massachusetts Preschool Vision Screening Program: Two Year Program Evaluation

After successful passage of a legislative preschool vision screening mandate in 2004, a new Massachusetts Preschool Vision Screening Program was implemented. The program included an intense educational campaign for school nurses and primary care providers. Training materials were developed and made accessible through web based instruction, workshops, and state wide mailings. Data will be presented on the: (1) percent of kindergarteners receiving the mandated vision screening prior to entry into kindergarten (2) results of a follow-up survey evaluating the vision screening protocol and methodology being utilized in the primary care setting. These results will be compared with results prior to program implementation. (3) number of failed screenings receiving the mandated follow-up with an ophthalmologist or optometrist

Strategies to ensure successful program implementation will be discussed, such as (1) Parent education and vision screening reimbursement as additional incentives for vision screening in the medical home (2) School-based computer programs to assist in data collection and easy retrieval of information to monitor follow-up (3) Continual feedback to primary care providers (4) Information systems that allow for easy communication between primary care providers, school nurses, and eye care professionals (5) Funding for school nursing to ensure their continued capacity to monitor compliance

With the goal of improving the vision health of children, preschool vision screening legislative mandates have also been passed in many other states. It is hoped that an up to date assessment of the Massachusetts Preschool Vision Screening Program will assist other states who seek to develop similar programs.