U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
1996
Recommendation
Vision screening to detect amblyopia and strabismus is recommended once for all children before entering school, preferably between the ages of 3 and 4. Clinicians should be alert for signs of ocular misalignment when examining infants and children.
Screening for diminished visual acuity with the Snellen visual acuity chart is recommended for elderly persons. There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against screening for diminished visual acuity among other asymptomatic persons, but recommendations against routine screening may be made on other grounds.
Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2nd Edition
Screening for Visual Impairment, 1996 (PDF File, 124 KB)
Return to Quick Menu: Topic Index
Return to USPSTF Home Page