RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Vision screening services in special needs schools in Western Saudi Arabia JF Saudi Medical Journal JO Saudi Med J FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 385 OP 390 DO 10.15537/smj.2019.4.24076 VO 40 IS 4 A1 Mohammed R. Algethami A1 Medical Student A1 Lina H. Raffa A1 Rabaa H. Alhibshi A1 Maha Y. Baabdullah A1 Abdulrahman H. Alobudi YR 2019 UL http://smj.org.sa/content/40/4/385.abstract AB Objectives: To evaluate the current status of vision screening services in special educational needs (SEN) schools in the western region of Saudi Arabia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that involved distribution of a questionnaire to all 30 SENs schools in the western region of Saudi Arabia between April and May 2018.Results: Twenty-three schools responded to the questionnaire (77% response rate). The number of pupils represented in the surveyed schools was 1831. On average, 10.8% of pupils were reported to wear eyeglasses. Approximately 60.9% of schools reported that vision screening was not offered at their schools. The percentage of students who used optical, non-optical, or high-technology low-vision aids was <2.7%. Most participants (78.3%) reported that no one in their schools had received some form of training to work with and support students with visual impairments.Conclusion: In the western province of Saudi Arabia, the vision care status of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) in SEN schools is poor. To better serve this underprivileged group, the necessity of implementing vision screening programs on a larger scale should be considered.