I.  Introduction
EI Evaluation Vision Screening serves two objectives. First, to help EI Evaluation teams determine if there are vision problems that may affect the developmental assessment process and results. Second, to identify children with vision concerns that require follow-up with pediatric eye doctors, specifically pediatric ophthalmologists, or pediatric optometrists. Click HERE for a list of pediatric eye care professionals in Colorado.
Note, vision and hearing screenings are to be conducted prior to other EI Evaluation assessments.
Each member of the EI Evaluation team is to complete the required vision screening training modules provided by EI Colorado and A Shared Vision before conducting vision screening. See below.
Best practices - email the Vision Screening Parent Questionnaire to a child's family prior to their EI Evaluation meeting. Receive and score the completed Parent Questionnaire prior to the meeting. If a child has a known or suspected visual impairment, the EI Evaluation team should include an Early Intervention Teacher of the Visually Impaired.
Quick links:

II.  Vision Screening Protocol

Vision Screening protocol includes:
  • Gathering information about the child's family and medical histories
  • Assessment of the child's eyes and eyelids
  • Review of their visual behaviors
  • Objective testing of their eye's reactions.

Vision screening begins at birth, with specific components introduced over time.

While the Parent Questionnaire, completed by caregivers prior to their EI Evaluation, and in-person meetings for the assessment are preferred, telehealth and phone calls are also viable.

III.  Vision Screening Training

Each member of the EI Evaluation teams must complete three vision screening training modules provided by EI Colorado and A Shared Vision.
Training includes:
  1. Vision Screening Parent Questionnaire 2022. Either a refresher for anyone who successfully completed the 2020-2021 training (45 minutes), OR the full Parent Questionnaire training for anyone who did not successfully complete the prior training (90 minutes, virtual).
  2. Vision Screening Objective Testing (60 minutes, in person)
  3. Vision Screening and Development Assessment Using the DAYC-2 or IDA-2 (60 minutes, virtual)
Total time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

IV.  Vision Screening Documents

These downloadable PDF documents support all aspects of the vision screening protocol. Refer to the scenarios below to determine which documents to use based on the EI Evaluation team's primary tool (i.e., DAYC-2 or IDA-2) and whether the assessment meeting with the child and family will be in person or via telehealth.
Click on the document images to download.
Vision Screening Parent Questionnaire 2022
Objective Testing
(coming soon!)
Vision Screening Parent Questionnaire Scoring & Referral
Vision Screening Next Steps & Referral Form
Vision Screening Interview Packet for EI Evaluators
Vision Screening Interview Script for EI Evaluators

V.  Vision Screening Scenarios

Each scenario includes a list of the PDFs to download and use during the assessment meeting. Scenarios also describe the steps to conduct the vision screening, including documenting next steps for the caregivers. The order of the steps is dependent upon the modality of the assessment meeting. Specifically, objective testing should be completed during in-person meetings. However, if the meeting is conducted via telehealth, objective testing should be completed at a later date when an in-person meeting is possible.

Scenario #1

Vision screening to be conducted in person and caregiver completed Parent Questionnaire.
Documents:
Steps:
  1. Review Family History and Child’s Medical History on Parent Questionnaire
  2. Conduct Objective Test
  3. Confirm Appearance of Eyes and Eyelids on Parent Questionnaire
  4. Confirm Behaviors on Parent Questionnaire during evaluation using DAYC-2 or IDA-2
  5. Score vision screening results (“no concerns” and “concerns identified”), determine referral requirements, if any, and complete Next Steps

Scenario #2

Vision screening to be conducted in person and caregiver did NOT complete Parent Questionnaire.
Documents:
Steps:
  1. Interview caregiver to get Family History and Child’s Medical History
  2. Conduct Objective Test
  3. Observe Appearance of Eyes and Eyelids
  4. Conduct evaluation using DAYC-2 or IDA-2 and supplemental questions to get Behavior information
  5. Score vision screening results (“no concerns” and “concerns identified”), determine referral requirements, if any, and complete Next Steps

Scenario #3

Vision screening to be conducted via telehealth and caregiver completed Parent Questionnaire. (Objective testing to be completed in person at a future date after the EI Evaluation.)
 Documents:
Steps:
  1. Review Family History and Child’s Medical History on Parent Questionnaire
  2. Review Appearance of Eyes and Eyelids on Parent Questionnaire. Confirm via video, if possible
  3. Confirm Behaviors on Parent Questionnaire during evaluation using DAYC-2 or IDA-2
  4. Score vision screening results (“no concerns” and “concerns identified”), determine referral requirements, if any, and complete Next Steps
  5. Conduct Objective Test when able to meet in person. If in person not available as part of EI Evaluation, test with EI-TVI or trained EI provider at Initial IFSP, IFSP Annual Review

Scenario #4

Vision screening to be conducted via telehealth and caregiver did NOT complete Parent Questionnaire. (Objective testing to be completed in person at a future date after the EI Evaluation.)
Document:
Steps:
  1. Interview caregiver to get Family History and Child’s Medical History
  2. Interview caregiver to get Appearance of Eyes and Eyelids information. Confirm via video, if possible
  3. Conduct evaluation using DAYC-2 or IDA-2 and supplemental questions to get Behavior information
  4. Score vision screening results (“no concerns” and “concerns identified”), determine referral requirements, if any, and complete Next Steps
  5. Conduct Objective Test when able to meet in person. If in person not available as part of EI Evaluation, test with EI-TVI or trained EI provider at Initial IFSP, IFSP Annual Review

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