Anna Wang
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Olivia Killeen
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Department of Ophthalmology / Medicine
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 1 (9:00am – 9:50am)
Authors: Anna Wang, Aleah Miller, Rhea Sridhara, Megan Gibson, Amani Mubeen, Theodora Vorias, Olivia Killeen
Abstract
Vision screening is necessary to detect potential eye issues at an early age when treatment is most effective in preventing long term vision loss. Screening typically occurs in schools and primary care settings; however, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vision screening due to school closures and temporary cancellation of routine well-child visits in clinics. Little is known about the impact of the pandemic on vision screening practices. We aimed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric primary care vision screening at the University of Michigan Health System by conducting semi-structured interviews with doctors and medical assistants at seven primary care clinics. This data is essential for understanding disruptions in vision screening stemming from public health crises and can inform public health policies to ensure that children will receive vision screening in case of future disruptions in routine care.
