The use of a mobile van for school vision screening: results of 63 841 evaluations
Griffith, Joseph F.; Wilson, Rhonda; Cimino, Heather C.; Patthoff, Mayme; Martin, Daniel F.; Traboulsi, Elias I.
Why this matters
A school-based vision program needs enough reach to find children who would otherwise go without care. A mobile van visiting every elementary school in Cleveland performed 63,841 evaluations over twelve years, covering roughly 55 percent of eligible children, and found 10 percent met at least one referral criterion.
Abstract
Between 2002 and 2014, 63,841 evaluations were performed using a mobile van visiting all elementary schools in Cleveland, Ohio, representing approximately 55% of eligible children. Overall, 6386 (10.0%) of children met 1 or more referral criteria: 5355 (8.39%) received glasses, 873 (1.37%) had amblyopia, and 1125 (1.76%) had strabismus. Over the 12-year period, there was no statistically significant change in the prevalence of strabismus or amblyopia among first grade students, indicating the need for continued vision screening and treatment services. A van-based model, traveling directly to schools, appears to be effective in reaching young children in underserved communities.