Pediatric Vision Screening in Alberta

Theme: Paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus
What: Paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus
Part of: Paediatrics I: Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus - Vision Screening to Retinoblastoma / Pédiatrie I: Ophtalmologie pédiatrique et strabisme - Dépistage du rétinoblastome
When: 6/1/2024, 04:15 PM - 05:45 PM
Where: Room | Salle 714 A

Abstract

PURPOSE

Pediatric eye health is a critical component of a child’s overall ability to learn. School aged children may be unaware of visual disturbances that impede their vision. Alberta Health Care covers an initial comprehensive eye exam for all young Albertans. This is coupled with the The Eye See… Eye Learn® program which provides free glasses to kindergarten children. The aim of these resources is for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric eye conditions including refractive error, strabismus and amblyopia as children enter the school system. However, it is not clear how effective this program has been and who is accessing these resources. 

The purpose of this study is to determine the usage of provincial vision screening resources for children 10 years of age and younger, with specific interest in ages entering the school system (4, 5 and 6 years) and to look at the factors that may potentially affect utilization of the program.

METHODS/STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective data review process was undertaken.  Data was collected from Alberta Health (AH) from 2013-2020, and from Statistics Canada (SC) data product, 2016 census. AH data included billing information for all children ages 0-10 years who visited an optometrist or ophthalmologist in Alberta between 2013-2020. AH local geographic areas were mapped with SC postal code areas to utilize census 2016 data. SC household data including urban vs rural, income, language, education and current work status were obtained. 

RESULTS

Approximately 575674 (15%) children between the ages of 0 and 10 had their first vision screening by an optometrist in Alberta during 2013-2020. Within these years, 16.8% of children aged 4-6 in Alberta saw an optometrist for the first time. Those who lived in rural remote areas (14.2% access) were less likely than those who lived in rural (17%), urban (16.4%) or metro areas (17.5%) to see an optometrist. By pearson correlation, lower education levels percent with no high school certificate (-0.44) was found to be an important factor in access to optometry services. Lower household income was also found to be related to decreased utilization of care.

CONCLUSION:

Pediatric vision screening is a crucial component of preventative healthcare. Early diagnosis and treatment of vision conditions in young children is essential. Currently, many of Alberta’s children enter the school system without vision screening despite a comprehensive eye exam being covered by Alberta Health Care. This study is an important step in understanding patterns of access to pediatric vision screening services and to inform increasingly effective delivery of these resources hereafter. 

Presenter(s)

Presenting Author: Stephanie Dotchin

Additional Author(s):

Golpira Assadzadeh, University of Calgary

Emi Sanders, AHS

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