249111 On-Site Vision Care for Preschoolers in Boston Head Start Programs

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 12:30 PM

Jennifer Palladino, BSN , Head Start and Children's Services Department, Action for Boston Community Development, Inc, Boston, MA
Karen McManemin, MPH , Head Start and Children's Services Department, Action for Boston Community Development, Inc, Boston, MA
Katherine Majzoub, RN, MBA , Prevent Blindness America, Boston, MA
Paulette Tattersall, Dip Pharm, MSc , Pediatrics, New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA
Catherine A. Johnson, OD , Department of Specialty and Advanced Care, New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA
Stacy Lyons, OD , The New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA
Bruce Moore, OD , Department of Specialty and Advanced Care, New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA
Karine Martirosyan, MD, MPH , Head Start and Children's Services Department, Action for Boston Community Development, Inc, Boston, MA
Objective: Approximately 1 in 5 children in the United States between the ages of 1-17 years old have vision problems, with the highest rates in children from poor urban areas. All children enrolled in Head Start are mandated to have a vision screening within 45 days of entry. This study aims to collect data on the number of children that had a vision screening by ABCD Head Start staff and the rate of failed screenings, as well as the children who received a comprehensive vision examination from New England Eye Institute after a failed screening and the examination results. Methods: 1199 children from 11 ABCD Head Start programs in Boston had vision screenings beginning September and continuing for 45 days. From November to December 2010, New England Eye Institute On-Sight Mobile Clinic scheduled visits at 11 Head Start sites in Boston to see children that had not received vision examinations after failing the screening. Results: Of the 1199 children screened, 262 (21.8%) failed the Head Start vision screening. 45% of those children received a follow-up eye examination at New England Eye Institute On-Sight Mobile Clinic. 38.3% of examined children were diagnosed with vision problems and received prescriptions for eyeglasses. Conclusions: A large number of children enrolled in Head Start programs in Boston have vision problems. The partnership between ABCD Head Start and Children's Services, New England Eye Institute and Prevent Blindness America helps to provide a comprehensive vision care and eyeglasses to children with vision problems.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Other professions or practice related to public health
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
To demonstrate vision care needs of Head Start children. To articulate the vision screening procedure using a Sure Sight Auto Refractor. To describe the on-site vision care model for Head Start children in Boston.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am the Health Services Director for 26 Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Boston and oversee all on-site health services provided to children in those programs, including comprehensive vision care.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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