When do you refer?

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Specializes in Antepartum, Labor and Delivery, School.

I'm a new nurse at an Elementary (k-5) and I was wondering when most people refer students for their vision? 20/30 or 20/40? In the past we have referred at 20/40 but I called a few optometrists and they said I should refer at 20/30. I'm just a little eery to refer at 20/30 because most of my families don't have the money for an eye exam that isn't necessary.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

In my school district the standard is "anything greater than 20/30." In other words, the student has to be able to read at 20/30 in EACH eye (not together.) If they fail either eye, they fail the test. We retest in 2 weeks. If they fail again, we send home a letter and a form for the phycian to fill out. If they don't have the child seen within a reasonable time(1 month) the whole thing gets escalated to Social Services. They can get the wheels moving and can determine if the family needs some financial help for exams, glasses, etc.

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

Depends on local protocol- ours is a state recomendation from Prevent Blindness.

Ours also depends on age and the chart used.

Snellen gets referred at 20/40 in at least one eye, or if there is a two line difference (ex: 20/20 is one eye and 20/32 in the other). I think HOTV is also 20/40, but I'd be lying if I told you I was for sure. The younger they are, the higher the numbers for referals.

ETA- If they're 20/32 but are squinting and you see during the observation part they're struggling, go ahead and refer them

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Your signature says Missouri

Missouri school health website has a vision link: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/SchoolHealth/

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Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse & School Clinics.

Ours is the same as Poodles

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