In the state of Washington, vision screenings are mandated at regular intervals to detect and manage visual impairments that can affect a child's academic progress.
Grades Screened: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 7th
Screening Types: Distance Vision Acuity and Near Vision Acuity
2. Screening Referral Criteria (Criteria for Passing Vision Test)
Distance Vision Criteria
Kindergarten: Refer if worse than 20/40 in either eye
1st Grade: Refer if worse than 20/32 in either eye
Grades 2 and above: Refer if worse than 20/32 in either eye
Near Vision Criteria
Kindergarten: Refer if worse than 20/40 in either eye
Grades 1 and above: Refer if worse than 20/32 in either eye
Rescreening Requirement
Students who do not meet passing criteria: Must be rescreened using the same method
3. Children Who Should Bypass Screening
Children with documented vision impairments already under treatment
Children currently under the care of an eye care professional
4. Required Tools OR Important Changes to Tools Used/Discontinued
Required Screening Tools
LEA Symbols®: Single optotype with crowding bars
HOTV Letters: Single optotype format
Sloan Letters: 10-foot calibrated chart
Near Vision Charts: LEA Symbols®, HOTV Letters, or Sloan Letters
Optional Screening Tools
Instrument-based vision screeners: May be used in place of optotype charts
Rescreening with optotype chart: Required if no result is generated by the instrument-based tool
Occluders
Recommended: Durable plastic occluders or pinhole occluders