Visual impairment in young children is common, affecting between 5% and 10% of children 5 years of age and younger. Preschool vision screening is therefore recommended as a standard component of well-child care. Unfortunately, the rate of vision screening by primary care practitioners is less than 30%. The overarching goals of this proposed project are to improve vision care for preschool-aged children and to prepare the candidate for a career as an expert and independent investigator in the delivery of vision related services for children. These goals will be achieved through career development activities and research activities organized in three phases of research: (1) Identification of the barriers to the delivery of vision-related services; (2) Measurement of utilization of vision-related services under public and private insurance; and, (3) Development and pilot testing of educational material based to improve the delivery of vision-related services in the primary care practice setting. Research methods for Phase One of the research will include surveys of primary care practitioners, eye care specialists, and the parents of preschool-aged children. Phase Two will be based on analysis of administrative claims databases from private and public insurers. In Phase Three, the educational intervention will be developed and pilot tested in 10 primary care practices. Career development activities during these phases of research will include formal training in vision science and the treatment of visual impairment, survey research methodology, and healthcare economics. Three dedicated and expert mentors will guide these career development activities. By the completion of this proposed project, the candidate will be an expert in vision care for children, and he will submit an independent investigator-initiated grant proposal to continue his goal of improving the delivery of vision services for children.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23EY014023-02
Application #
6729865
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZEY1-VSN (03))
Program Officer
Redford, Maryann
Project Start
2003-07-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2004-07-01
Budget End
2005-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$135,540
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Kemper, Alex R; Freedman, Sharon F; Wallace, David K (2008) Retinopathy of prematurity care: patterns of care and workforce analysis. J AAPOS 12:344-8
Kemper, Alex R; Wallace, David K; Quinn, Graham E (2008) Systematic review of digital imaging screening strategies for retinopathy of prematurity. Pediatrics 122:825-30
Kemper, Alex R; Clark, Sarah J (2007) Preschool vision screening by family physicians. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 44:24-7;quiz 43-4
Kemper, Alex R; Wallace, David K (2007) Neonatologists'practices and experiences in arranging retinopathy of prematurity screening services. Pediatrics 120:527-31
Kemper, Alex R; Gurney, James G; Eibschitz-Tsimhoni, Maya et al. (2007) Corrective lens wear among adolescents: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 44:356-62
Kemper, Alex R; Clark, Sarah J (2006) Preschool vision screening in pediatric practices. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 45:263-6
Kemper, Alex R; Uren, Rebecca L; Clark, Sarah J (2006) Barriers to follow-up eye care after preschool vision screening in the primary care setting: findings from a pilot study. J AAPOS 10:476-8
Kemper, Alex R; Bruckman, David; Freed, Gary L (2004) Prevalence and distribution of corrective lenses among school-age children. Optom Vis Sci 81:7-10
Kemper, Alex R; Diaz Jr, Guillermo; Clark, Sarah J (2004) Willingness of eye care practices to evaluate children and accept Medicaid. Ambul Pediatr 4:303-7
Kemper, Alex R; Cohn, Lisa M; Dombkowski, Kevin J (2004) Patterns of vision care among Medicaid-enrolled children. Pediatrics 113:e190-6

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