Analysis of School-Age Vision Screening by State
Children’s vision screening requirements vary by state and in fact, only half the states require vision screening for preschool-age children. While 40 states require vision screening for school-age children, the mandates vary in terms of ages or grades when children will receive screening, types of screening, and reporting requirements.
In an article co-authored by the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness (NCCVEH), you will find an analysis of methods and frequency of vision screenings for school-aged children and readers can compare requirements between their state and other states in their region and nationally. This analysis underscores the need for developing evidence-based criteria for vision screening in school-aged children across the United States.
State Vision Screening Requirements
These maps and tables of children’s vision screening requirements by state were compiled based on information available at the time of publication. State policies can change often- reference the most current published state legislative code and/or public health rules available. The tables and graphics below provide information on frequency of required vision screenings for children in each state and other information such whether guidelines are currently under review, types of screening required and whether the state mandates an eye exam for children.
This information was compiled based on information available at the time of publication in October 2020. State policies can change often- reference the most current published state legislative code and/or public health rules available. The tables and graphics below provide information on frequency of required vision screenings for children in each state and other information such whether guidelines are currently under review, types of screening required and whether the state mandates an eye exam for children.
States in green = legislation, rule, code or requirement for vision screening or an eye exam for both preschool-age and school-age students
States in blue = legislation, rule, code or requirement for vision screening or an eye exam for school-age children.
State in yellow = legislation, rule, code or requirement for vision screening or an eye exam for preschool-age children.
States in red = No legislation, rule, code or requirement for vision screening or an eye exam for children of any age.
Guidelines or recommendations, unless indicated as rules in the code, are not included in this chart but many states that have no legislation or requirements do have guidelines and some state allocate/provide funding for vision screening. The NCCVEH thanks our partner, The Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, for their research of state codes.
