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All Baltimore City public-school students in preschool through eighth grade will be served by the program. Approximately 45 schools each year participate in the program. A parent or guardian must sign a consent form in order for the student to receive an exam and glasses at the school. Exams are provided by licensed eye care professionals in a mobile clinic. Students who require prescription glasses select frames at the time of the exam. Glasses are dispensed about two weeks to a month after the exam.

Forms you need

The following documents are required in order to participate in Vision for Baltimore. Please download the requested forms. Once completed, please submit them to your school leader.

Still have questions?

What is the difference between a vision screening and an eye exam?

The vision screening is administered by BCHD. 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 eligible—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.

Does my school need to apply to participate in Vision for Baltimore?

No application or enrollment process is required.

Parents 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.

Will I pay for my child’s eye exam or eyeglasses?

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.

Does my child need insurance to participate?

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.

When and where will the BCHD vision screening occur?

BCHD vision screenings take place throughout the school year. Your child’s school will send a letter home approximately two weeks before the screenings.

Screenings will take place at your child’s school in a location chosen by the school’s administrative staff.

When and where will the VTL eye exam occur?

The VTL mobile clinic will visit your school several weeks to several months after the BCHD vision screenings. The timing depends, in part, on how quickly students return consent forms signed by a guardian.

The mobile clinic will park right outside your child’s school.

How do I book my child’s appointment with the mobile clinic?

You do not need to book an appointment.

A parent or guardian should sign the consent form and mark yes or no to whether they want their student who fails the screening to get an exam and glasses.

You will need to sign a consent form to allow your child to receive an eye exam. If you did not receive a form, please contact your community coordinator, or email us at v4b@bcps.k12.md.us to request another copy.

Once the completed and signed form is returned, your child will be able to receive an exam in the VTL mobile clinic when it visits your child’s school.

I do not want my child to participate in Vision for Baltimore. What do I do?

A parent or guardian should sign the consent form and mark yes or no to whether they want their student who fails the screening to get an exam and glasses.

The state requires that BCHD provide annual screenings to all students in their first year of school (pre-K or kindergarten), 1st grade, and 8th grade. When Vision for Baltimore visits a school, BCHD screens all other elementary and middle school students in that school. If you do not want your child to be screened, please notify your school nurse in writing.

If your child does not pass their vision screening, they will not receive an exam and glasses unless you return a signed consent form. If you choose not to have your child participate, it is very important to seek eye care elsewhere: poor eyesight can lead to academic, social, and behavioral problems for children.

I just found out your program isn’t coming to my school this year. Can my child still get an eye exam?

Vision To Learn can only offer eye exams to students in the schools that Vision for Baltimore is visiting that year. If Vision for Baltimore is not serving your school this year and you would like your child to have an eye exam, we recommend that you take them to a local provider.

Additionally, while Vision for Baltimore is only visiting one-third of elementary and middle schools per year, BCHD will continue to provide state-mandated annual screenings to all students in their first year of school, 1st grade, and 8th grade. If your child does not pass a screening, you will be provided information about how to follow up with a local eye care provider.

My child was screened but has moved schools. Will my child still be able to get an eye exam from Vision for Baltimore?

Please contact the Vision for Baltimore Program at v4b@bcps.k12.md.us with details of your situation to discuss options for serving your child.

Will, my child receive dilating eye drops?

No, VTL’s eye exams do not include eye drops.

If your child needs the kind of exam that uses dilating eye drops—or other follow-up vision care—they will be referred to an eye care provider. If that happens, a referral form will be sent home with your child, and one of VTL’s eye doctors will call you to explain the referral.

Are there risks or discomfort associated with an eye exam?

No. VTL’s eye exams are painless, safe, and non-invasive.

Will I learn the results of my child’s eye exam?

Yes. After the eye exam in VTL’s mobile clinic, your child’s results will be sent home with your child.

Will my child be required to attend follow-up eye examinations after the VTL eye exam?

No. However, your child may be referred to another eye care provider if they require care that cannot be provided in VTL’s mobile clinic.

What happens if my child is referred for further care after their VTL eye exam?

If your child requires further care that cannot be provided in the VTL mobile clinic and/or if VTL’s eye doctor is unable to determine your child’s prescription, your child will be referred to another eye care provider. If that happens, a referral form will be sent home with your child, and one of VTL’s eye doctors will call you to explain the referral.

If you are enrolled in Medicaid, HealthCare Access Maryland will ask your Managed Care Organization to assist you in scheduling follow-up care.

Do I need to attend the vision screening and/or eye exam with my child?

No. Parents are not required or expected to be present during the vision screening or eye exam.

When will my child receive their eyeglasses?

Glasses will be delivered to your child’s school several weeks after the eye exam. Your child will be called to a designated space located within the school to pick up their glasses and have them fitted by an optician. Students will also receive an eyeglasses case, which will include information about when they need to wear their eyeglasses.

What happens if a student breaks or loses their glasses?

If a student breaks or loses their glasses, Vision for Baltimore will send you a single replacement pair of glasses within one year of receiving them.

Contact: https://visiontolearn.org/glasses

Will my child receive prescription sunglasses?

No, VTL does not provide prescription sunglasses.

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Forms you need

Vision Consent Form (English)

Vision Consent Form (Spanish)

How It Works (English)

How It Works (Spanish)

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