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NOA Policy Statement On School Vision Evaluations

The Nebraska Optometric Association fully endorses and supports the state's statutory requirement for children to receive a visual evaluation before entry into the beginner grade (Nebraska Revised Statute 79-214). This required evaluation consists of testing for amblyopia, strabismus, internal and external eye health, and testing sufficient to determine visual acuity. The Association understands that the intent of the law is to provide a more comprehensive visual evaluation than most children had previously been receiving.

Although the statute allows parents or guardians to sign a written waiver of the required evaluation, the Association encourages and recommends that all children are tested, including those who may need to take advantage of resources for free or reduced-cost services.

Optometrists--through their clinical education, training, experience, and broad geographic distribution--are the best option for providing effective primary eye and vision services to children in Nebraska.

The Association encourages optometrists to follow the Optometric Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination when conducting the vision evaluations required by Nebraska law. The guidelines describe appropriate examination procedures for evaluation of the eye health and vision status of children to reduce the risk of vision loss and facilitate normal visual development. They contain recommendations for timely diagnosis, intervention, and, when necessary, consultation or referral for treatment by another health care provider.

The Optometric Clinical Practice Guidelines outline examinations that include patient history and testing for visual acuity, refraction, binocular and accommodative function, ocular health. Professional judgment of the optometrist, patient history, symptoms, and findings may have significant impact on the nature and course of the examinations.