Press Release
Campaign to Promote Vision Screening as Visionary Benefit for Children

Miramar, FL – The American Academy of Ophthalmology – the Eye M.D. Association – is announcing its priority to make vision screening an integral part of protecting children’s comprehensive health by calling for legislation mandating vision screenings for all children entering kindergarten, first and third grades.

“We believe that vision screenings by pediatricians, family physicians and trained screeners are the first step toward making sure every child successfully sees their way to adulthood,” said Garima Lal, MD

Nationally, approximately 1.8 million children under the age of 18 are blind or have some form of visual impairment and yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 1 in 3 children receive a vision evaluation before entering kindergarten. “Vision screenings are the gateway to full eye examinations and successful treatment of eye conditions. This bill establishes eye health as a priority for the children of FLORIDA,” said Garima Lal, MD.

The health reality is that not all children need a full comprehensive eye exam – and the economic reality is that not all children can afford them. Because vision screenings are cost-efficient and can be performed almost anywhere, they ensure more children can be seen. Routine vision screenings are a valuable benefit for children, because they detect vision and eye problems as eyes develop and before serious eye problems can.

“Unlike initiatives that mandate full and costly comprehensive examinations for children, vision screenings are cost-efficient and effective in identifying children who need follow up exams or treatment, saving money for children who need it most,” said Garima Lal, MD

States with active screening programs in place have demonstrated that screening is highly effective in detecting children with vision problems. Recent research by the National Eye Institute affirms the Academy’s longstanding position that vision screening is effective when properly performed and that effective screenings can be done on a cost efficient basis. (Vision in Preschoolers Phase II (VIP) study, published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Vision Science, July 2005). “Research has confirmed that vision screening ensures the best possible vision care for children. It’s medically effective and cost efficient,” said Garima Lal, MD.