Scolaris Content Display Scolaris Content Display

Vision screening for correctable visual acuity deficits in school‐age children and adolescents

This is not the most recent version

Abstract

available in

Background

Although the benefits of vision screening seem intuitive the value of such programmes in junior and senior schools has been questioned. In addition to this, there exists a lack of clarity regarding the optimum age for screening and frequency at which to carry out screening.

Objectives

The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of vision screening programmes carried out in schools in reducing the prevalence of undetected, correctable visual acuity deficits due to refractive error in school‐age children.

Search methods

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register, in The Cochrane Library (2006, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to March 2006) and EMBASE (1980 to March 2006). No language or date restrictions were placed on these searches.

Selection criteria

We planned to include randomised controlled trials, including randomised cluster controlled trials.

Data collection and analysis

Two review authors independently assessed study abstracts identified by the electronic searches. No trials were identified that met the inclusion criteria.

Main results

As no trials were identified, no formal analysis was performed. A narrative synthesis of other retrieved studies was undertaken in order to explain current practice.

Authors' conclusions

At present there are no robust trials available that allow the benefits of school vision screening to be measured. The disadvantage of attending school with a visual acuity deficit also needs to be quantified. The impact of a screening programme will depend on the geographical and socio‐economic setting in which it is conducted. There is, therefore, clearly a need for well‐planned randomised controlled trials to be undertaken in various settings so that the potential benefits and harms of vision screening can be measured.

PICOs

Population
Intervention
Comparison
Outcome

The PICO model is widely used and taught in evidence-based health care as a strategy for formulating questions and search strategies and for characterizing clinical studies or meta-analyses. PICO stands for four different potential components of a clinical question: Patient, Population or Problem; Intervention; Comparison; Outcome.

See more on using PICO in the Cochrane Handbook.

Plain language summary

available in

Screening school aged children and adolescents for reduced vision caused by the need for glasses

Worldwide, the leading cause of reduced vision in children is an unidentified need for them to wear glasses. The reduced vision that results from abnormal focusing (refractive error) can cause the children to screw up their eyes and complain of headaches. Reduced vision may affect academic performance, choice of occupation and socio‐economic status in adult life. Genetic and environmental factors are known to affect the development of refractive error; it is also more common in certain racial groups. Short sightedness has become the commonest eye condition. The need to correct refractive error is determined by its effect on vision. Normal vision can usually be restored by wearing corrective glasses or contact lenses. However, there is some evidence that correction may cause an error to persist where it might otherwise have resolved or reduced naturally. Vision screening is used widely but is concentrated in developed countries; in developing countries it may serve the purpose of providing access to health care. The value of screening after school entry has been queried. Programmes vary with regard to testing personnel, set threshold for failure, frequency and setting. The disability caused by a vision deficit has not been quantified and the optimum age and number of occasions for screening have not been established. The aim of this review was to find studies that evaluated the effectiveness of school vision screening programmes in first identifying children with reduced vision. No eligible randomised studies were found. There is a clear need for reliable evidence to measure the effectiveness of vision screening. A narrative synthesis of other retrieved studies was undertaken in order to explain current practice.