Auckland School Screening Programme

Each year, BOptom students at the School of Optometry and Vision Science screen approximately 3,400 school children from x schools in the Auckland region for vision issues. 

Can we put any detail here about the age range or year-level of students screened?

Students who require more in-depth follow-up are referred to an optometrist’s clinic. Is it to the SOVS clinic, or a local clinic, is the referral for free eye care? Any details to provide a fuller picture of the work

As well as providing an eye health service within the community, the School Screening Programme also provides a valuable training opportunity for BOptom students – further details? e.g. what year are the students…any specific benefits to their learning from participation in a schools programme?

Improving efficacy of the B4 School Check vision screening

(PhD project – Rebecca Findlay).

Aim: To compare the efficacy of the current New Zealand vision screening test (the Parr vision test) with two alternative tests (the Lea symbols and the Spot vision screener) for detecting eye conditions in New Zealand children.

Overview: Children received vision screening with each of the three screening tests.  The sensitivity of the Parr vision test was not significantly different to the Lea symbols or Spot vision screener. Adding the Spot vision screener to the Parr vision test improved sensitivity in detecting ocular conditions in children.

Supervisors: Dr Joanna Black, Dr Carol Chelimo, Professor Nicola Anstice

Relevance/potential implications:  This is the first study to evaluate the Parr vision test in comparison to other well validated paediatric screening tests.  The results of this study will inform the current review of the B4 School check vision screening programme to ensure that vision screening is meeting the needs of New Zealand children.

Welcome to School study

(PhD project – Rebecca Findlay)

Aim:  To determine the prevalence of refractive error and visual impairment in children aged 6-7 years in the the Tāmaki area of Auckland, and to evaluate the efficacy of the B4SC vision screening programme in this community.

Overview: Children received comprehensive eye examinations in the school setting.  The study showed that refractive error was common in this group of children from an area of known socioeconomic disadvantage.   More than half of the children with significant refractive error had passed their vision screening and were not wearing glasses at the time of the study.

Supervisors: Dr Joanna Black, Professor Nicola Anstice

Relevance/potential implications:  This project highlighted a mismatch between the intention of the B4 School Check programme (to detect and intervene on issues that could adversely affect educational outcomes) and the aims of the vision screening programme (to detect amblyopia).

Rebecca Findlay
PhD candidate