Elks Preschool Vision Screening Program

child with new glasses

Children with vision problems often go undiagnosed until they start school, and delayed diagnosis can lead to lasting vision problems and developmental delays. Nearly 15% of children between the ages of 3 and 5 have a vision problem that requires glasses.

Annual vision screenings for preschoolers can help find vision problems while their eyes are still developing, and some vision disorders can be reversed if treated before age 5. In Oregon, the legislature requires that all children entering public school for the first time show proof of a vision screening.  

Thanks to a grant from the Oregon State Elks Association and Elks volunteers, the Elks Children's Eye Clinic at OHSU Casey Eye Institute provides free vision screenings for preschoolers all over the state. We partner with Head Start programs and public libraries to prevent vision loss in children by screening over 8,000 kids annually, referring over 700 kids every year to an eye doctor to be checked for a potential vision problem. 

Using photo screening technology--a scientifically proven screening method for preschool children--the children’s eyes can be measured instantly and results are available immediately. If needed, the screener can recommend that a child be referred to a specialist. 

Find a vision screening near you

Information for vision screeners

Check out these resources if you are a vision screener with our program.

Vision Screening Program team

Director

Joannah Vaughan

Joannah Vaughan, M.B.A.: An Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Joannah is the founder and director of the Preschool Vision Screening Program. Since 2003, Joannah has developed and managed the screening program, which currently screens over 8,000 preschool children each year. She frequently conducts training for OHSU and University of Portland nursing students, Portland Community College ophthalmic technicians, the Oregon Head Start State Association and statewide community health clinics. Joannah has presented vision screening research at international conferences, including the World Ophthalmology Congress, the American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and at the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Follow Up Coordinator

Talitha Dale

Talitha Dale:  Talitha is responsible for managing the team contacting families when their child has been referred for a dilated vision exam. Before beginning at the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic Preschool Vision Screening Program, Talitha worked at Linn County DHS with Child Protective Services. Her experience with DHS has been a great asset in understanding the needs of a family enrolled in the Head Start Program. She also oversees our data collection process and helps develop presentations and papers reporting the results of the Oregon Preschool Vision Screening Program . Talitha has assisted with research presentations including the World Ophthalmology Congress, the American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and at the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Program Assistant

Bethany Lang

Bethany Lang: Bethany joined the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic Preschool Vision Screening Program in May 2014. Prior to this position, Bethany worked for the Hilton Corporation as an event coordinator, establishing a strong background in organization, event planning and a passion for helping others. Lang schedules screenings for the Head Start preschools and See to Read program with Oregon Libraries.  Bethany also assists with processing new Elks volunteers for the clinic. 

Follow Up Assistant

Jeanne Morehouse

Jeanne Morehouse: Jeanne is a former educator, having taught preschool, kindergarten and other elementary school levels. Jeanne joined the vision screening program team in June 2014 as a vision screener, where she provided training to Head Start locations and public libraries for See to Read events.  In addition Jeanne provides follow up, assisting parents in making pediatric eye exams and providing necessary resources for treatment. 

Vision Screening Research Assistant

Daniel Herrera

Daniel Herrera: After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Statistics and Mexican Studies, Daniel brings to the program a desire to help the Spanish-speaking community through follow-up and research. Daniel conducts bilingual follow up, assisting parents in making pediatric eye exams and providing necessary resources for treatment. In addition, Daniel assists with statistical analysis for research.

Research

The Preschool Vision Screening Program conducts research about eye health and preschool children in Oregon.

  1. Vaughan J, Stignei I, Wheeler D, Summers A. “Lay Vision Screening is Cost-Effective for Identifying Vision Problems in Pre-Kindergarten Children”. Companion poster session presented at the Annual American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus; April, 2009; San Francisco, CA.
  2. Wheeler, D, Vaughan J, Summers A. “Statewide Preschool Vision Screening in Oregon”. Poster session presented at the Annual American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus; April, 2009; San Francisco, CA. (AAPOS Best of Show Award).
  3. Allen R, Wheeler D, Vaughan, J. “The Conundrum of a Mandated Comprehensive Eye Exam” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Poster Presentation, April, 2010; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2010, Vol.51, 4353. Doi
  4. Vaughan J, Summers A, Karr D. “Lay Vision Screening: Can the Plusoptix Vision Screener Replace the Lea Symbol Chart and Random Dot Stereotest.” Poster session presented at the World Ophthalmology Congress; June, 2010; Berlin, DE.
  5. Summers A, Karr D, Vaughan J Coughlin K. “After Failing a Lay Vision Screening, What Diagnoses and Treatments Do Preschoolers Eventually Receive?” Poster session presented at the Annual American Academy of Optometry; November, 2010; Chicago, IL.
  6. Vaughan J, Summers A, Hoang L, Dale T, Choy, A. “LEA/Random Dot E vs. Plusoptix Device: Which System Provides the Best Referral When Screening Preschool Children”, Podium presentation at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; May, 2011; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2011; 52(14):1600. doi: 
  7. Vaughan J, Arao R, Dale T, Chiang M, Karr D.“ Are Referrals from the Plusoptix S09 are Significantly More Accurate than the LEA/Random Dot E Referrals for Children Ages 3-5”. Podium presentation at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; May, 2013; Seattle, WA. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.. 2013; 54(15):5982. doi:
  8. Vaughan J, Dale T, Huang D. “Photoscreening for Refractive Error and Strabismus Using GoCheckKids Smartphone App”. Podium presentation and poster presented at the Annual American Academy of Pediatrics; October, 2013; Orlando, FL.
  9. Vaughan J, Dale, T, Choy, A, “Photoscreening for Refractive Error and Strabismus With a Smartphone App”, IOVS, 55, ARVO E-Abstract 436 (2014). Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.. 2014; 55(13):436. doi:
  10. Vaughan J, Huang, D.  “Two Tap Amblyopia Screening”. The Ophthalmologist, 9, 26-28 (2014).
  11. Vaughan J, Dale T, Karr D. “Oregon Elks Children’s Eye Clinic Vision Screening Results”. Poster session presented at the Annual American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus; April, 2016; Vancouver, BC.
  12. Vaughan J, Mcdermott A, Reznick L, Summers A, “Parent’s Guide to Pediatric Contact Lens Use Elks Children’s Eye Clinic Instructional Video”.  Presented at World Ophthalmology Congress, May, 2016, Guadalajara, Mexico.
  13. Vaughan J, Dale T, Herrera D, Karr D. “The Accuracy of the Plusoptix S12 and the Spot Photoscreening Measurements When Screening for Astigmatism in an Ethnically Diverse Population”. Poster session presented at the Annual American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus; April, 2017; Nashville, Tennessee.
  14. Vaughan J, Dale T, Herrera D, Karr D. Oregon Elks Children’s Eye Clinic vision screening results for astigmatism. J AAPOS. 2018; 22(3):207-210.
  15. Vaughan J, Dale T, Karr D. Photoscreening could detect vision-threatening conditions in early childhood. Ophthalmology Times. 2018.
  16. Vaughan J, Dale T, Herrera D, Mercado C. “Vision Screening Using a Photoscreening Device Doubles Referral Rate Accuracy When Compared to the Chart Method” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Poster Presentation, April, 2019; Vancouver, BC. . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.. 2019; 60(9):4419. doi:
  17. Vaughan J, Dale T, Herrera D. “Comparison of Photoscreening to Chart Methodology for Vision Screening.” The Journal of School Nursing, July 2020. 
  18. Bellsmith K, Herrera D, Dale T, Vaughan J. “Detection of Treatment-Requiring Hyperopia Using a Photo Vision Screening Device in a Preschool Population” Poster session presented at the Annual American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus; April, 2021; Virtual Meeting.  
  19. Vaughan J, Herrera D, Dale T. “Effects of Demographics on the Dilation of Preschool Children During the Eye Exam” Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Poster Presentation, May, 2021; Virtual Meeting.

Resources