title: Vision screening in central Iowa.
abstract: This study assessed the vision-screening practices of all preschools and elementary schools during the spring of 2000 in the Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA) in central Iowa. Surveys were returned by 7% of the preschools and 56% of the elementary schools. Survey questions were drafted based on recommendations from the Iowa Vision Screening Program Guidelines, which were distributed to all Iowa school districts in 1997. Areas surveyed included vision-screening personnel, attainment of students' visual history, rescreening practices, referral and follow-up, and screening procedures. Survey results indicated that there is a need for improvement to standardize vision-screening procedures within Heartland AEA. Time and effort are invested in activities that are not recommended, and not enough effort is being put into recommended activities such as obtaining vision histories, rescreening to avoid overreferrals, and follow-up to make sure students receive required treatment.
authors.affiliation: Heartland Area Education Agency 11, Johnston, IA, USA.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Gustafson
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kinne
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Strawhacker
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000175:diagnosis; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009216:Myopia / Q000175:diagnosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity