What to do if your child did not pass their vision screening.
Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam: Contact a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. Screenings are not diagnostic — only a full exam can determine if glasses or further evaluation are needed.
Bring the School Referral Slip: Take the school screening results with you to the appointment.
Follow Recommendations & Return Documentation to School: Share any findings with your school nurse or health office so they can update your student’s health record.
If your child failed the vision screening and wears glasses or contacts, they were either not wearing them at the time of screening or may require an updated prescription. Clear vision is essential for learning. Please take steps to ensure your child wears their corrective lenses daily to support their success in the classroom.
Low cost options.
For Students with Medi-Cal: Covers Annual Exams + Glasses: Medi-Cal provides full-scope vision benefits for children under 21.
VSP Eyes of Hope: Free exams and glasses for eligible low-income or uninsured families
California Vision Project: Free eye exams to low-income working families
Lions Club of California: Offers refurbished glasses and vision help to families in need
Community Clinics: Use this tool to find local community clinics offering affordable or sliding-scale vision services
Who to contact.
Your School Nurse or Health Clerk: First point of contact for any follow-up or referrals.
Your Child’s Pediatrician: Can help determine next steps and refer you to a specialist.
Your Insurance Provider: Ask about coverage for audiology services.
Tips.
Finding the right pair of glasses:
Have them try on a lot of frames - you never know which style they’re going to like.
They should love the glasses they pick - there’s no point in buying them if they won’t wear them.
If your child doesn't like wearing glasses - they should try daily contact lenses.
Our preferred places vendors:
Zenni.com - for very affordable and cool frames
Warbyparker.com - for very modern frames and offers daily contacts with online vision test for existing prescriptions
1800contacts.com – Accepts most CA prescriptions for daily contacts
Target Optical – In-store exams and daily lenses available
What to do if your child did not pass their color vision screening.
What to Know:
Color vision deficiency is not a learning disability, but it can impact academic tasks involving color-coded information (charts, maps, graphs).
Accommodations, visual tools, and assistive lenses can help.
Comprehensive Diagnosis
If your child fails a school color vision screening, schedule a complete eye exam with a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.
CA-based low-cost options:
UC Berkeley School of Optometry: Offers advanced testing and academic research
Color Vision Correction Lenses
While not a "cure," these lenses can help enhance color differentiation for some individuals.
Designed for red-green color blindness
Available as prescription or non-prescription glasses
Not covered by insurance, but discounts or trial programs may be available
Budget friendly alternative to EnChroma
Assistive Tech & Classroom Support
Colorblindly (Chrome extension) – Simulates color vision for teachers or classmates
Teacher Accommodations (Per CA Ed Code & Section 504 Plans)