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  1. Home
  2. Individual and Family Health
  3. Preventive Health Care For Children, Teens and Young Adults
  4. Child and Teen Checkups (CTC)
  5. Vision Screening
Topic Menu

Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC)

  • C&TC home
  • About

Information

  • For providers
  • For families

Publications

  • Publications and materials
  • Fact sheets on screening components
  • Translated documents

Screening

  • Hearing and vision
  • Developmental and social-emotional in the clinic setting

Training

  • Training descriptions and registration
  • Self-paced training

Related C&TC topics

  • Adolescent and young adult
  • Fluoride varnish

Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC)

  • C&TC home
  • About

Information

  • For providers
  • For families

Publications

  • Publications and materials
  • Fact sheets on screening components
  • Translated documents

Screening

  • Hearing and vision
  • Developmental and social-emotional in the clinic setting

Training

  • Training descriptions and registration
  • Self-paced training

Related C&TC topics

  • Adolescent and young adult
  • Fluoride varnish
Contact Info
Child and Teen Checkups
651-201-3650
health.childteencheckups@state.mn.us

Contact Info

Child and Teen Checkups
651-201-3650
health.childteencheckups@state.mn.us

Vision Screening Procedures

Procedures for Screeners

  • Child and Family Vision History and Risk Assessment (PDF)
  • External Inspection and Observation (PDF)
  • Binocular Fix and Follow (PDF)
  • Corneal Light Reflex (PDF)
  • Unilateral Cover Test - At Near (PDF)
  • Unilateral Cover Test - At Distance (PDF)

Visual Acuity

  • Distance Visual Acuity Screening with Lea Symbols® or HOTV Wall Charts for 3 to 6 Years of Age (PDF)
  • Distance Visual Acuity Screening with LEA SYMBOLS®/HOTV Flip Chart for 3 to 6 Years of Age (PDF)
  • Distance Visual Acuity Screening Using Sloan Letters for Children 6 years of Age and Older (PDF)
  • Plus Lens Procedure (PDF)
  • Color Vision (PDF)

Procedures for Health Care Personnel

Instructions

After completion of MDH or equivalent training, the following two procedures can be performed by health care personnel, including:

  • Nurses, including public health and school nurses.
  • Ophthalmic or optometric staff.
  • Other trained medical personnel.

These procedures should be performed routinely by nurses approved to perform C&TC screenings. These procedures are not included in general mass screenings, but can be performed as an additional screening for children who do not pass any component of the vision screening procedures.

  • Pupillary Light Response (PDF)
  • Retinal (Red Light) Reflex (PDF)

Provider Roles in C&TC Clinics

Primary Care Provider

Usually updates history and performs the ophthalmoscope evaluation and tests muscle balance (Binocular Fix and Follow, Unilateral Cover Test, and corneal light reflex) as part of the physical exam.

Medical Assistant or Nurse

Usually performs visual acuity screening, for near and distance.

Note: A child who wears glasses and is under the care of an eye care professional needs an age-appropriate visual acuity screening performed with their glasses on. They do not need screening for near vision using the Plus Lens procedure performed.

Tags
  • children youth
Last Updated: 08/15/2025

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