Tennessee State

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Temps de lecture 2 min

Summary of the Tennessee State Guidelines

1. Required Screenings

In the state of Tennessee, vision screenings are mandated for specific grade levels to ensure early detection of visual problems in students.

  • Grades Screened: Pre-K, K, 2, 4, 6, and 8 annually
  • Optional Screening: One high school grade (e.g., during a wellness class)
  • New Students: Vision screening is recommended for all new enrollees
  • Suspected Vision Issues: Students flagged by teachers or staff for suspected problems
  • Exemption: Students with a comprehensive eye exam within the last 12 months do not need screening

2. Screening Referral Criteria (Criteria for Passing Vision Test)

Distance Visual Acuity Failure Criteria

  • Pre-K: Inability to read 20/40
  • Grades K–12: Inability to read 20/30

Other Referral Indicators

  • Two-line or greater difference in visual acuity between eyes (e.g., 20/20 vs. 20/40)

Near Visual Acuity Failure Criteria

  • Pre-K: Inability to read 20/40
  • Grades K–12: Inability to read 20/30

Color Perception Screening

  • Refer based on: Manufacturer-specific failure criteria

Functional Vision Tests

  • Muscle Balance Failure: Esophoria > 4 diopters or Exophoria > 8 diopters
  • Depth Perception Failure: Worse than 250 seconds of arc (age ≤ 5) or 70 seconds of arc (age ≥ 6)

3. Children Who Should Bypass Screening

  • Students with a documented eye exam from the past 12 months
  • Students with known vision impairments under eye care
  • Students unable to respond to screening procedures due to developmental delays

4. Required Tools OR Important Changes to Tools Used/Discontinued

Traditional Screening Tools (Tennessee Guidelines)

Distance Visual Acuity:

  • Sloan Letters: Preferred for grades K and up
  • Snellen Chart: Calibrated for 10 feet (acceptable)
  • LEA Symbols or HOTV Charts: For Pre-K and non-verbal students

Near Vision Charts:

  • Reduced Snellen, HOTV, or LEA Symbols

Color Vision Tools:

  • Pseudoisochromatic plates (e.g., Ishihara or ColorDx Pediatric 15)

Functional Vision Tools:

  • Keystone Telebinocular: For muscle balance
  • Randot or Wirt Circles: For depth perception

GLD-Vision Screening Tools

GLD-Vision® is a digital, web-based platform designed for school screenings with minimal training required.

  • Tests: Visual acuity, depth perception, and color vision
  • Time per child: ~2.5 minutes
  • Chart selection: Automated and age-appropriate
  • Compliance: HIPAA and FERPA compliant with secure, instant results
  • Key Benefit: No manual data entry or memorization needed

Tool Comparison

  • GLD-Vision includes medically validated stereopsis and color vision deficiency screening
  • Traditional wall charts typically do not include these tests

Recommended Products

Distance Visual Acuity

Stereoacuity and Near Vision Acuity

Optional Equipment

Additional Vision Screenings

Cabinets and Accessories