The vision screening administered by BCHD is more basic than an eye exam. Screenings usually involve a chart with letters of different sizes, which students are asked to read. BCHD screenings test students’ visual acuity, 3-D vision, eye alignment, and refractive error.

Students who do not pass the vision screening are able—with a signed consent form—to receive an eye exam in VTL’s mobile clinic. The eye exam determines how well a child sees, whether they need glasses and the overall health of their eyes.

No application or enrollment process is required. Parents / Guardians do, however, need to sign a consent form in order for their child to receive their follow-up exam in VTL’s mobile vision clinic.

If you want to know when your school is scheduled for services, or for any other questions, please contact the Vision for Baltimore Program Administrator at visionforbaltimore@baltimorecity.gov.

Younger children—students in pre-k, kindergarten, and 1st grade—are screened in a different way than older children—students in 2nd grade and above. Only younger children, for example, are screened for 3-D vision, where they are asked to identify a raised letter on a special demonstration card.

This depends on the number of students at your school who fail the BCHD vision screening and return a consent form signed by a parent or guardian. The VTL team can examine up to about 20 students per day. VTL may need to visit your school on multiple non-consecutive days.

If a student breaks or loses their glasses, please contact BCHD’s Vision for Baltimore Program Administrator at visiontolearn.org/glasses and fill out the form to start the process to receive a replacement pair of glasses.

No. There are no out-of-pocket costs associated with Vision for Baltimore; you do not need to pay for any part of the program. All students who return a signed consent form are served, including those without insurance.

If you have Medicaid coverage, your Medicaid provider may be billed for the cost of the eye exam.

Eyeglasses are currently donated by Warby Parker and provided to students at no cost.

No. Every child may participate regardless of whether they have insurance coverage.

If your child is enrolled in Medicaid, your Medicaid provider may be billed.

Glasses will be mailed to your child’s home several weeks after the eye exam. Students will also receive an eyeglasses case, which will include information about when they need to wear their eyeglasses.

Yes. Vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses fittings will be conducted during the school day. Students should be occupied for no more than 30 minutes for their vision screening; no more than 30 minutes for their eye exam; and no more than 20 minutes for the fitting of their glasses.

The Vision for Baltimore Program Administrator will work with your school to pick dates for screening visits that minimize disruption, and Vision To Learn will provide advance notice of the dates during which they will visit to provide exams and dispense glasses.

BCHD vision screenings will take place at a location designated by your school’s administrative staff.