I. Introduction

EI Evaluation Vision Screening serves two objectives. First, to help EI Evaluation teams determine if there may be 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.

Quick Links

• Parent Questionnaire© Instructional Video for EI Evaluators
• Parent Questionnaire© Live Webinar
  
• Pediatric Eye Doctors in Colorado

II.  Vision Screening Protocol

The Vision screening protocol includes:

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

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.

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.

III.  Vision Screening Training

Three training modules are available for EI Evaluators provided by A Shared Vision.

• Vision Screening Parent Questionnaire© (updated 2022) is open to all professionals interested in using the Parent Questionnaire©. The training is available as a live webinar, as well as an on-demand instructional video.
  
• Objective Testing is provided in person in your community. The Parent Questionnaire© training is a prerequisite.
  
• Vision Screening & EI Evaluations is a 60-minute training delivered as a live webinar. The Parent Questionnaire© trainings is a prerequisite.
  

Total time: 3 hours

Register for Trainings

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 whether the assessment meeting will be in person or via telehealth, and if the family completed the Parent Questionnaire© prior to the meeting.

Click below to access the documents in English and Spanish.

Vision Screening Documents

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:

• Vision Screening Parent Questionnaire© Scoring & Referral
  
• Objective Testing

Steps:

1. Review Family History and Child’s Medical History on Parent Questionnaire©
   
2. Conduct Objective Testing
3. Confirm Appearance of Eyes and Eyelids on Parent Questionnaire©
   
4. Confirm Behaviors on Parent Questionnaire© during evaluation
   
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:

• Vision Screening Interview Packet for EI Evaluators
• Objective Testing
  

Steps:

1. Interview caregiver to get Family History and Child’s Medical History
2. Conduct Objective Testing
3. Observe Appearance of Eyes and Eyelids
4. Conduct evaluation to gather 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:

• Vision Screening Parent Questionnaire© Scoring & Referral
  

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
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:

• Vision Screening Interview Packet for EI Evaluators
  

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 to gather 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