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Research Paper | Ophthalmology | Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026 | Pages: 1520 - 1524 | Saudi Arabia
Evaluation of Teacher's Performance of Vision Screening in Primary School Children in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia
Abstract: Primary school teachers are often the first to observe signs of visual difficulties in students, as their close daily interactions provide a unique opportunity for early detection. Their involvement in school-based vision screening programs is particularly valuable, especially in rural areas where access to eye care services is limited. However, the effectiveness of their role depends significantly on the quality of training they receive and the level of collaboration with optometrists. This study employed a comparative, cross-sectional design to assess the accuracy of primary school teachers in conducting vision screenings compared to professional optometrists. The study was conducted among primary school children in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. A total of 35 teachers and 346 students participated. Teachers underwent a structured training session and subsequently screened students? visual acuity using Snellen charts under unaided, aided, and pinhole conditions. The optometrists repeated the same assessments to serve as the reference standard. A total of 346 students were screened independently by both teachers and optometrists. The teacher-led screenings demonstrated a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 96%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 74%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 96%. The level of agreement between teachers and optometrists was substantial, with a Cohen?s kappa coefficient of 0.72. With appropriate training and support, primary school teachers can effectively participate in school-based vision screening programs, particularly in underserved areas. Their involvement has the potential to improve early detection and referral of visual impairments in children, though ongoing collaboration with optometrists remains essential to ensure screening accuracy.
Keywords: Vision screening, Primary school teachers, Visual acuity, Community eye care, Primary school children
How to Cite?: Dr. Vishakh G. Nair, "Evaluation of Teacher's Performance of Vision Screening in Primary School Children in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia", Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1520-1524, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25904151354, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25904151354