Strategies For Success: Parent Perspectives On School-Based Vision Programs

Purpose: School-based vision programs are rising in popularity as a way to meet the vision needs of students in the school setting. While parental engagement is critical to the success of these programs, research on parent perspectives about school-based delivery of eye care is lacking. We report on a qualitative analysis of parental suggestions to improve existing school-based vision programs and aid in the development of future programs.Methods: Data were collected from twenty parent focus groups, totaling 90 participants, in Baltimore, MD and Chicago, IL where school-based vision programs were operating. A demographic survey was implemented partway through the completion of focus groups, following IRB approval. Focus groups were recorded, audio-transcribed, and coded using inductive thematic analysis. Coded transcripts were first analyzed separately by city, and then together to create a broad …