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BUMPER
STICKER TELL-A-FRIEND |
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Committee Hearings Search |
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VISION CARE FOR KIDS ACT | |
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Children's Vision Care Takes Forefront in Congress U.S. Sen. Christopher (Kit) Bond (R-MO), who suffers from permanent vision loss due to undiagnosed amblyopia as a child, today introduced the Vision Care for Kids Act to increase the number of children who receive vision care. If enacted, the bill would allocate funds for states to treat vision problems in children, as well as to educate residents about healthy vision. The legislation, which is supported by the Vision Council of America (VCA), American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association, focuses on providing children the follow-up care needed after being identified by a vision screening or comprehensive eye exam. "The great part about this bill is that every state, no matter what their current requirements, can utilize these funds to reduce the number of students who fall through the cracks and enter school at a disadvantage," said Michael Daley, chair of VCA's Government Relations Committee. "By putting an emphasis on follow-up, we can make sure that more children who need eye exams get them." Currently, follow-up procedures vary from state to state. A VCA report, Making the Grade?, found that 33 states mandate vision screenings for students, but that 29 of them do not require children who fail the screening to undergo a follow-up eye exam.(1) Since nearly two-thirds of children who fail vision screenings do not comply with recommended treatment, many children enter school with uncorrected vision problems. Approximately one in four children has a vision problem. Bond was one of those children who entered school with undetected amblyopia, the leading cause of vision loss in children, and struggled with his class work. Bond has already shown his commitment to finding a solution in a recent VCA-sponsored public service advertisement (PSA) campaign. The PSA was developed to raise awareness about amblyopia and the need for early detection. It features Bond as well as National Amblyopia Youth Spokesperson, Kennedy Biederman. Bond hopes to reduce the number of children like him and Kennedy whose amblyopia went unnoticed. "This important legislation will improve vision care for children to better equip them to succeed in school and in life. Together we will make a difference in the lives of children across the country," said Bond. "I whole-heartedly applaud Senator Bond for his dedication for children's vision care and for enacting his vision on Capitol Hill," said Andrea Gluck, VCA chairman. "This legislation empowers states to provide eye care to all of America's children." She continued, "I also applaud the vision community for reaching a consensus on this issue. By joining together on this common agenda, we ensure that children's vision care becomes a priority."
(1) States with vision screening requirements:
Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, States with no mandatory follow-up eye exam after a failed screening: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia |
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RELATED NEWS Sen. Bond Encourages Support for Federal Legislation >> Capitol Hill Briefing Educates Congress, Moves Children's Vision Legislation Forward >> U.S. Senate Supports Vision Care for Kids >>
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