ST. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association (AOA) presented its next evidence-based clinical practice guideline, Comprehensive Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination for an online 30-day public review period.

The guideline describes appropriate examination procedures for evaluation of eye health and the vision status of infants and children to reduce the risk of vision loss and facilitate normal visual development.

The AOA follows the Institute of Medicine (IOM) standards for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. As part of those standards, guideline development requires external review from relevant stakeholders, such as scientific and clinical experts, agencies, industry and the public.

Eyecare of the Patient with Diabetes Mellitus was the first AOA guideline to meet the IOM standards and is available at the National Guideline Clearinghouse. The Comprehensive Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination clinical practice guideline comes after the Comprehensive Adult Eye and Vision Examination, which recently underwent revision to meet IOM standards.

To participate, visit www.aoa.org to access the online Peer and Public Review Comment Form. Be sure to log all comments and suggestions within the document and forward it to AOAPeerReview@aoa.org.

Comments and suggestions will be accepted through June 18, and the finished guideline will be available later this year.