Leslie Agostini, M.S., B.S.N., R.N.

, Coordinator of Health Services

lagostini@musd.net

Vision Screening Procedure

Procedure:

I. Students to be screened include the following grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th, RSP,
SCD, speech, teacher referrals, students identified as new to the District, and
students identified as foster and/or homeless at the time of the site screening.

II. Vision screening of each student will include the following:

1. External eye exam includes
i. Eye lids, lashes, sclera, and conjunctiva
2. Spot Vision Screener
i. Intended to measure the refractive power of the eye by measuring the
light reflexes from the retina. It also estimates pupil size, pupil
distance, and eye gaze deviation.
3. NOTE: There may be occasions when the utilizing the Sloan Chart is
necessary for screening a student’s vision.

III. One or more school nurses will screen students in their classroom or in a central
location. Each nurse will have a recorder.

Timelines/Tasks

I. At the beginning of each school year HS secretary will schedule:

1. Dates for vision screening at each school site
2. One to two SN at each site
3. One to two recorders to assist SN

II. Two weeks prior to the screening date, the SN will contact the HC to discuss the
following:
1. Contacting all teachers to request referrals on students for whom they are
concerned about their vision.
2. Contacting school psychologists, speech and language therapists for referrals
on any student currently in the testing process.
3. Determining whether any special school activities are scheduled the same
day as the vision screening (scheduling conflicts may prevent completing
screening in one day).

III. One Week before scheduled screening:

1. HC to inform teachers that screening may occur in the classroom or in a
centrally located area depending on the lighting situation. If screening occurs

311 E. North St Phone (209) 858-0782

Manteca, CA 95336 Fax (209) 858-7513
www.mantecausd.net
 Leslie Agostini, M.S., B.S.N., R.N., Coordinator of Health Services
lagostini@musd.net

in the classroom, the teacher will be required to turn off the overhead light
during the screening time. Too much or too little light will hamper the SN
ability to screen accurately a student’s vision.
2. SN to confirm that the HC has:
a. Requested referrals from their teachers
b. A bell schedule and school map available for SN
c. Made three class list packets
i. Did not staple the lists
ii. Highlighted referrals
iii. Highlighted special ed. students
d. Remember SN will screen K, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th, RSP, SDC, speech, &
referrals
i. Note: consider screening 7th & 8th grade students first
while they are in their homeroom

IV. Day Before the Screening:

1. Ensure Spot Vision Screener is charged and USB drive is available to
down load data.
2. Ask HC to email teachers to remind students to bring their glasses the
next day for vision screening.
3. Ensure that Health clear has an empty room to screen students with
lamp and Sloan chart if unable to use the Spot check.

V. Day of Vision Screening:

1. One to two SN each with a recorder will provide vision screening.
2. Health Clerk (HC) to be available to assist if needed at screening,
3. SN to arrive early to ensure class lists, bell schedules, and school
maps are available.
4. HC to contact the teacher of the first class scheduled, informing them,
vision screening will begin right after breakfast, and the student needs
their glasses with them when they are screened.
5. Screening should not interfere with lunch.
6. If screening occurs in the classroom, inform teachers every effort will
be made to keep disruption to a minimum.
7. If unable to obtain screening in the student’s classroom have empty
classroom available to rescreen using a lamp and Sloan chart at end of
mass screening.
8. All first-grade boys will be screened for color vision on the same day.

311 E. North St Phone (209) 858-0782

Manteca, CA 95336 Fax (209) 858-7513
www.mantecausd.net
 Leslie Agostini, M.S., B.S.N., R.N., Coordinator of Health Services
lagostini@musd.net

VI. Recording/Referrals

1. Data obtained from the Spot Vision Screener USB drive:

a. Trained staff will upload data from the USB drive and print a
Vision Screening Summary for each screened student.
b. External eye exam summary sticker will be attached to bottom
of vision screening summary.
c. HC will place the Vision Screening Summary in student cum
d. SN or designated staff to generate student referrals and give to
HC to mail to families.
i. Send original color copy to parent and black and white
copy to cum.

VII. Training
1. School Nurse’s (SN) will be trained in the use of the Spot Vision
Screener by designated staff member under an MOU with Dr.
Rosenow.

311 E. North St Phone (209) 858-0782

Manteca, CA 95336 Fax (209) 858-7513
www.mantecausd.net