(a) As part of evaluation, the interdisciplinary team must determine any need for further vision assessment. This determination is completed by reviewing the current vision status for every child through an analysis of evaluation protocol results. A screening tool may be used for a child who is eligible based on a medical diagnosis or hearing impairment.
(b) The contractor must refer a child to an ophthalmologist or optometrist if the child has been identified as having a need for further vision assessment and the child has not had a vision assessment within nine months of the vision needs identification. If necessary to access an ophthalmologist or optometrist, the contractor may refer the child to their primary health care provider. The referral must be made:
  (1) within five working days; and
  (2) with parental consent.
(c) If the contractor receives a medical eye examination report that indicates vision impairment, the contractor must within five business days of receiving the report:
  (1) refer the child to the LEA; and
  (2) with prior written consent, refer the child to the local office of the HHS Blind Children's Vocational Discovery and Development Program (BCVDDP).
(d) The referral to the LEA must be accompanied by a form containing elements required by the Texas Education Agency completed by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist, or a medical physician when an ophthalmologist or optometrist is not available.

Source Note: The provisions of this §350.815 adopted to be effective September 1, 2013, 38 TexReg 5524; amended to be effective March 7, 2015, 40 TexReg 939; amended to be effective June 30, 2019, 44 TexReg 3280; transferred effective March 1, 2021, as published in the Texas Register February 5, 2021, 46 TexReg 941