AUTHORITY: Implementing Sections 3, 4, and 5 and authorized by Section 4 of the Child Vision and Hearing Test Act [410 ILCS 205].

SOURCE: Adopted and codified at 6 Ill. Reg. 11053, effective August 30, 1982; amended at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999; amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 905, effective January 5, 2006; amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 18743, effective November 28, 2023.

SUBPART A: APPLICABILITY AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 685.10  Applicability

 

The Child Vision and Hearing Test Act authorizes the Department to administer a program of vision screening services for Illinois children.  These rules apply to vision screening services required under the Act.

 

(Source:  Amended at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.20  Definitions

 

As used in this Part, the terms defined in this Section shall have the meanings ascribed to them herein.

 

            "Act" means the Child Vision and Hearing Test Act [410 ILCS 205].

 

            "Department" means the Illinois Department of Public Health.

 

            "Eye doctor" means a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches and specializing in diseases of the eye or a licensed optometrist.

 

            "Vision Screening Services" means ongoing community education programs covering the following topics:  identification, prevention, causes, nature and effects of vision impairments.  Such programs utilize program planning, management, evaluation and reporting, procedures for detecting possible abnormalities of the visual system, referral, and follow-up.

 

(Source:  Amended at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

SUBPART B: STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR VISION SCREENING

 

Section 685.100  Instrumentation

 

Instruments for screening pre-school age children are those which measure distance visual acuity.  Instruments for screening school age children are those which are capable of measuring the following:

 

a)         Visual acuity

 

b)         Hyperopia

 

c)         Muscle balance

 

d)         Optional tests

 

Section 685.110  Frequency of Screening

 

a)         Vision screening services shall be provided annually for:

 

1)         All preschool children 3 years of age (or older) in any public or private educational program or licensed child-care facility.

 

2)         All school age children who are in kindergarten, second and eighth grades; in all special education classes; referred by teachers; and transfer students.  Vision screening is recommended in grades 4, 6, 10 and 12.  Such screening services shall be provided in all public, independent, private and parochial schools.

 

b)         In lieu of the screening services required in subsection (a) of this Section, a completed and signed report form, indicating that an eye examination by an M.D. specializing in diseases of the eye or a licensed optometrist has been administered within the previous 12 months, is acceptable.

 

c)         The parent or legal guardian of a student may object to vision screening tests for their child on religious grounds.  If a religious objection is made, a written and signed statement from the parent or legal guardian detailing such objections must be presented to the screening entity.

 

d)         Individuals conducting vision screening tests shall give a child's parent or guardian written notification, before the vision screening is conducted, that states, "Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor.  Your child is not required to undergo this vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12

months." (Section 27-8.1 of the School Code)

 

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 905, effective January 5, 2006)

 

Section 685.115  Pass/Fail and Referral Criteria

 

Pass/fail criteria shall refer to the initial screening test. Referral criteria shall refer to the rescreening test.  Pass/fail and referral criteria are identical standards as presented below:

 

a)         School age children:

 

1)         Massachusetts Battery of tests:

 

A)        Phoria near and far:

 

i)          For children in first grade, target alignment outside a defined area for both near and far modes constitutes a failure.

 

ii)         For children in second grade and above, target alignment outside a defined area for either near or far modes constitutes a failure.

 

B)        Visual acuity. The correct identification of three or fewer of the monocular symbols constitutes a failure.

 

C)        Hyperopia. The correct identification of four or more of the monocular symbols constitutes a failure.

 

2)         Color discrimination. The correct identification of five or fewer of the eight targets constitutes a failure.

 

3)         BRL (both right and left). The correct identification of three or fewer of the five letters in each of the three columns constitutes a failure.

 

b)         Preschool and Kindergarten grade children:

 

1)         Michigan Preschool Test. The correct identification of three or fewer of the monocular symbols constitutes a failure.

 

2)         HOTV (stereoscopic or distance screening). The correct identification of three or fewer of the monocular symbols constitutes a failure.

 

(Source:  Added at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.120  Referral

 

a)         A vision diagnostic examination must be immediately recommended in written form to parents or guardians of all children who meet referral criteria as a result of vision screening, including observation, instrument screening, or monitoring.

 

b)         The screening entity or its designee shall initiate recommendations for a diagnostic examination and shall coordinate those activities necessary to complete the diagnostic examination and treatment management of the child suspect of a vision impairment.

 

(Source:  Amended at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.130  Screening Battery for School Age Children

 

The screening battery for school age children, grades 1 - 12, shall consist of:

 

a)         Observation of the child (appearance, behavior, complaint).

 

b)         Stereoscopic instrument screening using the Massachusetts Battery of tests presented in the following order:

 

1)         A test for muscle balance (phoria) at near and far points, in the binocular mode;

 

2)         A test for visual acuity at far point, in the monocular mode; and

 

3)         A test for excessive farsightedness (hyperopia) at far point, in the monocular mode.

 

c)         The Pediatric Color Discrimination Test may also be presented, at far point in the binocular mode, and prior to the hyperopia test; this test should be conducted at second grade.

 

d)         The BRL (Both Right and Left) Test, at near and far points in the binocular mode, may be conducted in lieu of the Massachusetts Battery, for junior and senior high school students.

 

e)         School age children shall be screened with 20/30 targets.

 

(Source:  Added at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.140  Screening Battery for Preschool Children and Difficult to Test Children

 

The screening battery for preschool children, three years and older, and Kindergarten grade children shall consist of:

 

a)         Observation of the child (appearance, behavior, complaint).

 

b)         Instrument screening using any one of the following tests:

 

1)         Stereoscopic instrument screening using the Michigan Preschool Test at far point.

 

2)         Stereoscopic instrument screening using the HOTV test at far point.

 

3)         Distance instrument screening using the Good-Lite Insta-Line crowded HOTV test.

 

c)         The preschool screening battery and procedures may be utilized when screening difficult to test children, including children who are developmentally disabled, etc.

 

d)         Preschool children, age 3 and 4, shall be screened with 20/40 targets. Five year old and Kindergarten grade children shall be screened with 20/30 targets.

 

e)         Automated vision screening devices may be used for children under three years of age and for older children who cannot be screened with stereoscopic or distance tests.

 

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 18743, effective November 28, 2023)

 

Section 685.150  Screening Battery for Children Wearing Glasses or Contact Lenses

 

a)         The screening battery for children wearing glasses shall consist of:

 

1)         Observation (appearance, behavior, and complaint);

 

2)         Inspection of the lenses and frames for problems; and

 

3)         Determination of the child's last visit to an eye doctor.

 

b)         The screening battery for children wearing contact lenses shall consist of (a)(1) and (3) of this Section.

 

c)         Instrument screening of children wearing glasses or contact lenses is not appropriate.

 

(Source:  Added at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

SUBPART C: STANDARDS FOR PERSONNEL PROVIDING VISION SCREENING SERVICES

 

Section 685.200  Screening Battery (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.210  Screening and Rescreening Procedures (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.220  Pass/Fail and Referral Criteria (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.230  Personnel

 

Vision screening services shall be provided by a vision technician certified by the Department. Any person with a high school education or its equivalent who is working in or supervising, or has a definite commitment to work in or supervise, a vision screening program may apply for training. The screening program must be for the identification of vision problems in preschool and school age children.

 

(Source:  Added at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.240  Training for Vision Screening Technicians

 

a)         The Department shall provide or authorize a training course to prepare persons to qualify for a vision screening services certificate.

 

b)         The vision training course shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following topics:  vision conservation for children, anatomy and the vision process, diseases and disorders of the eye, vision screening, the difficult to test child, referral and follow-up procedures, and establishing, managing and evaluating a vision conservation program.  The training course shall also include laboratory practice, practicum experience, and a written examination.

 

(Source:  Added at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.250  Application for Training and Certification

 

Applicants for training and certification shall complete and submit, to the Department, the Application for Training and Certification Form.

 

(Source:  Added at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.260  Certification of Vision Screening Technicians

 

a)         The Department shall issue a certificate after the training participant:

 

1)         Submits the training and certification fees as required in Section 685.320;

 

2)         Fully attends all portions of the training course;

 

3)         Obtains a score of 80 percent or better on the written examination; and

 

4)         Demonstrates proficiency during a vision training practicum.

 

b)         Practicum participants will be rated on the following items: School Age Tests, Preschool Tests, General Skills and Overall Skills.  All above items must be rated acceptable to qualify for certification.

 

(Source:  Added at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.270  Recertification of Vision Screening Technicians

 

a)         The vision screening technician certificate shall be valid for three years.

 

b)         The Department shall send expiration and renewal notices to certified persons no later than 60 days before the expiration date of the certificate. Such notices shall be sent to the last known address of the person to whom the certificate was issued.

 

c)         The following items shall be submitted to the Department for certification renewal and shall be post-marked no later than 30 days prior to the expiration date of the certificate:

 

1)         a completed Certificate Renewal Form;

 

2)         the renewal fee, as required in Section 685.320; and

 

3)         Documentation of satisfactory completion of a recertification workshop provided or authorized by the Department, or a study project provided by the Department.

 

d)         The Department shall issue a renewed certificate upon receipt of items specified in subsections (c)(1), (2), and (3) of this Section.

 

e)         Failure to receive a notice to renew shall not relieve the certified vision screening technician of the obligation to submit the renewal form, pay the renewal fee 30 days prior to the expiration date of the certificate, and successfully complete a recertification workshop or study project.

 

(Source:  Added at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.280  Lapsed Certificate

 

a)         Any certificate not renewed prior to its expiration date shall be deemed lapsed and shall be null and void.

 

b)         Any certificate lapsed for a period of less than 2 years may be renewed by completing the recertification requirement and paying the fees as required in Section 685.320.

 

c)         Any certificate lapsed for a period of two years or more may be renewed by meeting the application, training and certification requirements of this Part.

 

(Source:  Added at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

SUBPART D: FEE STRUCTURE

 

Section 685.300  Screening and Rescreening Procedures (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.310  Pass/Fail and Referral Criteria (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

 

Section 685.320  Fees

 

The Department shall implement the following fee structure:

 

a)         Applicants shall be required to pay to the Department, or its designee, a fee for attending a training course.   The fee for training shall not exceed the actual cost of training.  Failure to appear for training on the scheduled date, at the time and place  specified, after the applicant's application and fee for training has been received and acknowledged by the Department or the authorized training entity, shall result in forfeiture of the fee.  No additional fee, beyond the training fee, is required for initial certification.

 

b)         The recertification fee is $30 every three years.

 

c)         The fee for the issuance of a replacement certificate or a certificate with a change of name or address, other than at renewal time, is $10.  No fee is required for name or address change on Department records when no duplicate or replacement certificate is issued.

 

(Source:  Added at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)

SUBPART E: GENERAL STANDARDS FOR TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR PERSONNEL TO PROVIDE VISION SCREENING SERVICES

 

Section 685.400  Screening Personnel (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 4278, effective March 26, 1999)