Recorded presentation

Susan Oleszewski, OD, MA, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, 8360 Old York Rd., Elkins Park, PA 19027-1598, 215 780-1443, sueo@pco.edu

Consistent with the goals of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2010: National Health and Disease Prevention Program and its objectives for vision, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and the School District of Philadelphia collaborated to provide vision care services to the children of Philadelphia. Phase 1 of the collaboration was carried out during the SDP's 2003 summer school session and involved providing vision screenings to children enrolled in summer school. Phase 2 began in October of the 2003-04 academic year and included the delivery of vision care services to the children who failed the summer vision screening, as well as children identified by school nurses during the academic year. Vision care services included comprehensive vision and ocular health assessments, as well as dispensing of eyewear.

During the summer school program 11,832 children were screened. Of the 11,832 children, 2,651 failed the vision screening, representing a 22.4% failure rate. Phase II has resulted in the examination of 1,018 children to date. This number will increase as we continue the initiative throughout the 2003-04 academic year. The model(s) used for the delivery of vision care services (visual and ocular health assessments) will be presented, as well as the screening and examination protocols used in the project.

The collaboration between PCO and SDP has revealed the magnitude of the unmet vision care needs of a large urban school population and the operational,legal, and social dimensions to the challenge.

Learning Objectives: The participant (learner) will be able to

• Define vision care screening and treatment protocols that meet student needs, school district criteria, and standard of care.
• Articulate the clinical, logistical, and sociologic challenges in providing vision care services to a large urban school population.
• List several approaches to deliver eye care services to disadvantaged children in an urban school population.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation