The Hidden Crisis: How Post-Pandemic School Closures Created a Generation of NYC Children Struggling with Undiagnosed Vision Problems

The COVID-19 pandemic has left an unexpected legacy in New York City’s schools: thousands of children with undiagnosed vision problems who missed critical eye screenings during the height of the crisis. It is estimated that over 3 million students across the United States missed vision screenings during the 2020–2021 academic year as a result of the pandemic, with NYC bearing a significant portion of this burden.

The Perfect Storm: When Schools Closed and Screens Dominated

Before the pandemic, the SVP screens about 87% of students in Pre-K through 1st Grade each school year in New York City public schools. However, during the 2020–2021 academic year, over half of the states with vision screening mandates for school-age children either waived or modified their existing vision screening requirements. This disruption came at the worst possible time, as children were simultaneously experiencing unprecedented levels of screen exposure through virtual learning.

The impact was immediate and alarming. Studies found that the prevalence of myopia in 2020 was greater than the highest prevalence from 2015 through 2019 for children age 6 to 8, with the prevalence about three times higher in 2020 than in other years for 6-year-olds. Most eyes exhibited a hyperopic shift before the confinement; however, all eyes displayed a myopic shift during the confinement, demonstrating the dramatic reversal in children’s vision health.

The Screening Gap: More Than Just Missing Appointments

The consequences of missed screenings extend far beyond delayed diagnoses. Young children do not know when they have vision problems. They think that what they see is what everyone else sees. This makes regular screenings essential, as many children’s vision problems may not be obvious to the child or to the parent. When vision problems are not found and treated, a child’s ability to learn and to participate in usual human activities may suffer.

Research reveals a troubling disparity in follow-up care even before the pandemic. Of the 22% of screened students who failed the screening in 2018–19, 69% received follow-up efforts, and 39% completed eye exams. The pandemic has likely worsened these statistics, as access to paediatric eye care decreased during the pandemic, with an average drop of 67% in paediatric eye-related visits across studies.

The Digital Learning Double-Edged Sword

While virtual learning kept education going during lockdowns, it inadvertently accelerated vision problems in children. Study subjects report an average of 2.70, 3.88, 3.58, and 3.42 hours of television, computer, and smartphone for digital learning use at home, respectively. Children who used tablets showed a significant myopic shift, highlighting how specific devices contributed to the problem.

“There’s probably a lot more kids out there that we’re not catching right now with early myopia because they are not showing up to their normal vision screenings at schools and at their pediatricians’ offices”, warns Dr. Monica R. Khitri from UCLA Medical Center.

NYC’s Unique Challenges and Opportunities

New York City faces particular challenges in addressing this backlog. Less advantaged students in terms of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status were less likely to pass vision screenings and less likely to receive eye exams after failing the screening. However, the city also has innovative programs designed to bridge these gaps.

The expansion of school-based vision programs has shown promise. The SVP’s expansion to all grades in community schools and its provision of eye exams and glasses increased the rate of eye exams to 90% of students with a failed vision screening and distributed glasses to over 22,000 students in grades Pre-K to 12 in 2018–19.

Finding Expert Care in NYC

For NYC families concerned about their children’s vision, specialized care is available. The Children’s Eyeglass Store, located at 52 University Place in Greenwich Village, was founded by licensed optician John Fuoco specifically to address the unique eyewear needs of children in the city. In New York City, the frame selection for kids is minimal. I wanted to change that and give children the opportunity to find frames that they love so that they wouldn’t feel like wearing glasses is such a drag, explains Fuoco.

The store specializes in pediatric vision care, offering around 500 frames available, and we are constantly adding more. What sets them apart is their child-friendly approach: The store is brightly colored and filled with toys. It’s a welcoming place and really makes getting corrective lenses a great experience for little ones.

The Urgent Need for Comprehensive Eye Exams

Parents should understand that basic vision screenings aren’t enough. 73% of children with eye problems will pass a routine vision screening by a school nurse or pediatrician but will fail an eye exam by an eye doctor. This is why comprehensive Eye Exams by qualified professionals are crucial, especially for children who missed screenings during the pandemic.

Among students with completed eye exams, 13% of students in Pre-K through 1st grade were diagnosed with amblyopia, and 70% needed glasses. Early detection and treatment of these conditions are essential for preventing long-term learning difficulties.

Moving Forward: Prevention and Action

As NYC works to address this backlog, parents can take immediate action. Delaying eye care can negatively impact a children’s learning and reading development. Addressing missed school-based vision screenings and their continuation are key to decreasing academic and health disparities among students.

The pandemic may have created this crisis, but it has also highlighted the critical importance of regular vision care for children. Early eye exams are essential: Annual checkups—and earlier if symptoms arise—can catch changes early and open the door to effective myopia management options.

For NYC families, the message is clear: don’t wait for school screenings to resume fully. Seek comprehensive eye care now, especially if your child experienced increased screen time during virtual learning. The vision problems that developed during the pandemic won’t resolve on their own, but with proper care and early intervention, children can get back on track for healthy visual development and academic success.