U.S. Vision Study
What city did the U.S. vision study take place in?
Answer: Baltimore.
What subject showed significant improvement after vision correction?
Reading. 7
What percentage of students who fail vision screening receive follow-up care?
Only 5–50%.
What did the Tanzanian teacher training focus on?
Vision testing and lighting conditions.
What tool was used to measure classroom light levels?
A lux meter.
What organization led the U.S. study?
Johns Hopkins University, Harvard Medical School, and the Institute of Education Sciences.
Which student groups saw the most improvement in the U.S. study?
Girls, students in special education, and lowest-quartile students.
Why are high-poverty neighborhoods more affected by vision problems?
They face greater difficulty accessing care and have higher incidence rates.
What age group was studied in Tanzania?
tandard 5 students, mostly aged 10–11.
What is the internationally recommended light level in front of a blackboard?
500 lux.
How many schools and students participated in the study?
120 public schools and about 2,300 students.
What subject showed no significant benefit?
Mathematics.
How does access to glasses influence educational outcomes?
It improves reading scores and class behavior.
How many students were involved in the Tanzanian study?
Just over 100 students.
What light level was recorded with electric lights on?
148 lux.
What was the duration of the study?
2016 to 2019.
Why might academic benefits decline over time?
Reduced usage of glasses or outdated prescriptions.
What role do teachers play in supporting students with glasses?
Reminding students to wear them regularly.
What qualifications did most Tanzanian teachers hold?
Bachelor’s or master’s degrees with special education endorsements.
How does light affect students sitting near windows?
They may be dazzled trying to read the blackboard.
What type of clinical trial was conducted?
Citywide cluster randomized clinical trial.
What additional areas might future vision screening impact?
Attendance and behavior.
What issues can arise when glasses are lost or broken in underserved areas?
They are often never replaced.
What proportion of students had vision issues in one or more areas?
Around 50%.
What is the general lighting recommendation for classroom areas?
300 lux.