8.4.16

Procedures for the Evaluation of the Visual System by Pediatricians

Donahue SP, Baker CN; Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine; Section on Ophthalmology; American Association of Certified Orthoptists; American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus; American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Pediatrics. 2016;137(1):1-9. doi: 10.1542/peds.2015-3597. Epub 2015 Dec 7
PubMed PMDI: 26644488

Vision screening is crucial for the detection of visual and systemic disorders. It should begin in the newborn nursery and continue throughout childhood. This clinical report provides details regarding methods for pediatricians to use for screening.
This clinical report supplements the combined policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and American Association of Certified Orthoptists titled “Visual System Assessment in Infants, Children, and Young Adults by Pediatricians.” The clinical report and accompanying policy statement supplant the 2012 policy statement “Instrument-Based Pediatric Vision Screening,” the 2003 policy statement “Eye Examination in Infants, Children, and Young Adults by Pediatricians,” and the 2008 AAP policy statement “Red Reflex Examination in Neonates Infants and Children.” The policy statement articulates the screening criteria and screening methods, and the clinical report explains the various evaluation procedures that are available for use by the pediatrician or primary care physician.