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Adding coordinator increased follow-up rate for amblyopia photoscreening program
Ophthalmology. 2010;117(10):1869-1875.
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Adding a part-time follow-up coordinator to the Iowa KidSight amblyopia photoscreening program contributed to an increased follow-up rate over a 9-year period, a study found.
The retrospective, cross-sectional study included 147,809 children screened for amblyopic risk factors between May 1, 2000, and April 30, 2009, using the MTI PhotoScreener.
Between 2000 and 2009, the follow-up rate reached 89.5% after the addition of the follow-up coordinator, compared to the lowest rate of 36.1% before the coordinator was appointed.
Of the 6,247 children who failed the screening, 24.3% were evaluated by local ophthalmologists and 76.7% were seen by local optometrists, who forwarded the results to the Iowa KidSight program.
After taking into account the overall operating budget, the screening cost was reduced to $9 per child.
"A successful preschool vision screening program relies on motivated individuals who can be trained to screen the population at a low cost and with quality control," the authors said. "We conclude that this program has made a lasting, beneficial and cost-effective impact on the children of Iowa."