Refractive Profiles in Children Receiving School-Based Eye Exams Following Vision Screening from a Large School-Based Vision Program in 2016 to 2022

PurposeTo describe refractive error findings and associated factors in students who received school-based eye exams following vision screenings.MethodsCross-sectional study of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students who failed vision screening and underwent a school-based eye exam in the Northeast region of the United States during 2016-2022. Non-cycloplegic autorefraction and visual acuity measurements were used to categorize refractive error by type and severity. Main outcomes included any refractive error (at least -0.50D myopia, +0.50 hyperopia, 1.00D astigmatism, or 1.00D anisometropia), clinically significant refractive error (CSRE; more severe refractive error with decreased vision), and refractive amblyopia risk (RAR). Multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression was used to determine student- and school-level characteristics associated with refractive error outcomes.ResultsOf 103,159 included students who failed screening, 95,875 (92.9%) were analyzed. Overall prevalence of any refractive error was 94.2%, with 81.7% having CSRE. Pre-kindergarten & kindergarten students had the highest prevalence of CSRE (85.7%), which dropped to 77.0% by 3rd and 4th grade before rising with each higher grade level thereafter. Prevalence of RAR was 60.9% overall and highest in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students (73.8%). Myopia was the most prevalent refractive error, followed by astigmatism, anisometropia, then hyperopia. The odds of hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia decreased with higher grade level.ConclusionOver 80% of students who failed vision screening at a large school-based vision program had CSRE, and over 60% had RAR. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students had an especially high prevalence of RAR. Refractive error remained common in every grade level.