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VI Referral Process

Eye Chart, This photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Referral Process

Any child birth to age 22 can receive services in the school district.

Birth to Age 3:

  1. An Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) specialist would refer the family to a PISD Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI).
  2. The ECI specialist would request that the parent have a current Eye Report or make an appointment with the ophthalmologist or optometrist as soon as possible.
  3. The TVI and Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) would arrange to meet with the family and ECI specialist to begin the assessment.
  4. The TVI and COMS would conduct the assessment and services would be determined by the TVI and COMS.
  5. It is important to note that the Eye Report is a required component of the FVE. Both the FVE and LMA assessments can be completed without the eye report, however if the assessments indicate a need, the student will not be eligible for services without the Eye Report.

Age 3-22:

  • A parent or guardian, school nurse, teacher or any related service personnel can make a referral based on concerns for a child's vision.
  • The school will request a current (within one year) State Eye Report, completed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist, from the parent or guardian. If they do not have one, the parent would need to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
  • The parent or guardian must sign consent for assessment for the Functional Vision Evaluation (FVE) and Learning Media Assessment (LMA). If it is an initial assessment for VI, then consent for assessment for an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Evaluation is also required.
  • The TVI will conduct the FVE and LMA. COMS will conduct the O&M evaluation.
  • A Low Vision Evaluation may be requested for students (school-aged) with low vision to determine the need for prescribed devices.
  • It is important to note that the Eye Report is a required component of the FVE. Both the FVE and LMA assessments can be completed without the eye report, however if the assessments indicate a need, the student will not be eligible for services without the Eye Report.