Division of Family Health

Vision Screening: A New Requirement for School Entry

Vision Screening is a New Requirement Starting in September 2006

All children entering kindergarten in September 2006, and every year thereafter, are required by state law to have a vision screening before the start of the school year. A child’s vision can be screened by his or her doctor during a regular health check up.

If a child fails the vision screening done by his or her doctor, or if a child has a neurodevelopmental delay, he or she must have a comprehensive eye exam done by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist).

If a child has a comprehensive eye exam, the eye doctor must give the parent or guardian a written report of the results of the eye exam and also send the results to the child’s school and to the child’s regular doctor.

School Health Entry Requirements for Children Entering Kindergarten

When parents register their children for kindergarten, they will be asked to submit a School Physical Form that proves that their child has had a physical exam in the last 12 months and meets all of the following school entry requirements:

• Immunizations
• Lead screening
• Vision screening

The School Physical Form is available here or by calling the Family Health Information Line at 1-800-942-7434.

Health Care Provider Information

The RI and MA vision screening protocols are identical. Therefore, to view a powerpoint and video presentation of the vision screening protocol, as well as to obtain equipment purchasing information, please visit the MA DPH website. The RI AFP has secured a discounted rate for the supplies with one of the supply companies. Please visit www.riafp.org for discounted ordering information.

The Departments of Health and Education are Informing Parents and Doctors

The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Department of Education are working together to make sure that parents, doctors, school nurse teachers, ophthalmologists, and optometrists know about the new vision screening law.

• School nurse teachers are being informed of the new law as part of four regional training sessions in October and November of 2005. The requirements of the law will also be reviewed during the annual School Nurse Teacher Conference in March or April of 2006.
• March is Vision Month, and a public education campaign is planned to reach parents to inform them of the vision screening requirements.
• The Department of Health, through the KIDSNET program, is sending a message to pediatric health care providers regarding the new requirements for vision screening.