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School Vision Screening Guidelines

General Information

  • The pediatric vision screening program runs both fall and spring semesters, two days per week. Screenings are provided for kindergarten and second grade students in the Mount Diablo, Tracy, Berkeley and Albany School Districts.
  • The goal of the vision screenings is to identify young children who are in need of vision care. Our referrals are primarily based on uncorrected refractive error, eye turns, and ocular health concerns.
  • The battery of vision tests used at the screenings include the following:
    • Monocular visual acuities at distance
    • Cover test at distance and near
    • Color vision
    • Retinoscopy
    • Ophthalmoscopy – small pupil BIO
  • The pediatric vision screening rotation aims to develop the following clinical skills:
    • Improve clinician’s retinoscopy skills by scoping 50-80 children per day;
    • Improve clinician’s ability to communicate with young children while examining their vision;
    • Learn how to set up a large scale vision screening for any age group.
  • Each clinician will receive feedback on the accuracy of their measurements (especially retinoscopy and cover test). When a child has an interesting ocular health finding (e.g. coloboma of the iris and optic nerve, elevated nerves), each clinician has an opportunity to view the findings.
  • Transportation is provided to each of the screening sites in the University Eye Center vehicle. Clinicians need to be at the UCBSO lobby at 7:30 am for each screening unless notified that the time has changed.
  • Screenings will include between 150-225 children per day at the elementary schools.
  • Clinicians should bring their diagnostic kit to each vision screening with two fully-charged handles. Student clinicians can decide among themselves (or rotate) as to who will bring a BIO to each screening.
  • Screenings generally finish by mid-afternoon. Dress casually and bring a snack and/or something to drink to keep your energy up.
  • In order for screenings to be completed in a timely and efficient manner, everyone needs to be present. If a clinician intends to be absent, they will need to inform Clinic Administration using the Student Absence Form, and must arrange for a substitute to take their place.
  • If you have any questions at any time, please contact Dr. Sarah Fisher at sfisher@berkeley.edu.