To assess annual vision screening rates at well-child care visits and the prevalence of vision loss-related conditions among American Indian or Alaska Native children and children of other races and ethnicities aged 3 to 17 years, highlighting the need for improved understanding in this area.
Approach:
Study Design: Cross-sectional study including children aged 3 to 17 years with at least 1 well-child care visit in a Minnesota-based health system from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023.
Data Collection: Vision screening rates were stratified by age, race and ethnicity, and health insurance type, using electronic health records.
Documentation Review: Manual review of 10% of WCC visits without complete documentation to correct for primary care visits where vision screening was performed but not documented.
Key Findings:
Amblyopia is the leading cause of vision loss in children and is associated with lifelong negative health outcomes.
Between 40% and 75% of US children receive regular vision screening despite national recommendations.
American Indian or Alaska Native children have a higher prevalence of certain refractive errors compared to the general pediatric population, including astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia.
Interpretation:
Pediatric vision health among American Indian or Alaska Native children is understudied, with previous research often excluding this group due to small sample sizes.
Limitations:
The study may not fully capture all vision screenings due to documentation errors, which could lead to underreporting of screening rates.
Prior research has frequently grouped American Indian or Alaska Native children into aggregated categories, limiting the understanding of their specific needs.
Conclusion:
This study provides insights into vision screening rates and conditions related to vision loss in American Indian or Alaska Native children, addressing a significant gap in the literature.
