About Our Program

The New England College of Optometry Vision Screening Program was developed with the goal of providing vision screening services to pre-school, elementary and high schools in the Boston Metropolitan area. The purpose of vision screening is to identify children who may need glasses so that they can be appropriately referred for a comprehensive eye examination. Our screenings are supervised by an attending optometrist overseeing first-year optometry interns.

Vision Screening FAQs

• Each vision screening session typically lasts 3–4 hours, starting around 8–8:30AM. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate afternoon sessions due to NECO students’ class schedule.
  
  
• Each screening team consists of one preceptor and five students. We may have the ability to send multiple teams to one location. Typically each team can screen 25–50 children in one session.
  
  
• We provide all our own equipment for screenings and follow all CDC recommended infection control practices. We require a room at least 15 feet in length, ideally larger, with a table and six chairs. Gyms, auditoriums, libraries, and empty classrooms are generally preferred.
  
  
• All students and preceptors are required to undergo a CORI check, CPR training, and comply with NECO’s mandatory vaccination requirements. If your location requires specific ID requirements, please let us know when scheduling your vision screening.
  
  
• The students should be scheduled ahead of time to attend the screening to optimize the team’s session at the school. This takes coordination between the nurse and the teachers in preparation for the day of screening.
  
  
• It is our policy that the vision screening team should not be in charge of bringing children to the screening area. There should be a designated screening facilitator to assist in this process and with filling out the screening forms with names/DOB of the children. This increases our efficiency and ensures we can reach the targeted number of children to be screened.
  
  
• Currently, vision screening forms are paper-based in triplicate (copies for school nurse, parent, and NECO). Results of the vision screening and any recommendations from the supervising optometrist will be included on the form. These forms are considered a medical record and we follow all HIPAA regulations regarding patient privacy. We are able to provide listings of local pediatric optometrists for follow-up.

If you are interested in requesting a vision screening for your school, please click here.