AAPOS and AAO respond to USPTF Vision Screening Recs

Mixed Reviews for Vision Screening Recommendations

Periodically, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reviews the state of the evidence on vision screening for children. In 2004, the USPSTF issued a B recommendation for "screening to detect amblyopia, strabismus and defects in visual acuity in children younger than 5 years," which indicates that the evidence is sufficient and it recommends providing the service. In the new review, the USPSTF stratified its review into recommendations for screening for children age 3 to 5 years, and under the age of three years. For children age 3 to 5 years, the USPSTF issued another B recommendation for "vision screening for all children at least once between the ages of 3 and 5 years to detect the presence of amblyopia or its risk factors." However, for children under the age of three years, the USPSTF concluded that the evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening, resulting in an “I” or no recommendation.

The Academy, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus are highly dissatisfied with this “I” recommendation, which is inconsistent with our longstanding pediatric screening recommendations. The groups have published a response to the USPSTF recommendations.