Vision Screening: A Study of 297 Head Start Children

Vision assessments were provided to 297 Head Start children in nine Westchester County, New York programs. An optometrist and an orthoptist administered a protocol which included retinoscopy, visual acuity, fly, cover, motility and convergence tests. Sixty-three children (21.2%) were referred for further evaluation. The visual deficits detected by this screening included decreased acuity, strabismus combined with decreased acuity, astigmatism, and nonspecific visual problems. The protocol used provided a thorough evaluation of the visual system and required only seven minutes per patient.