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Childrens vision screening law passes in Oklahoma
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A bill that mandates vision screenings for certain school-age children was signed into law May 15 by Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry. Introduced by Sen. Susan Paddack (D-Ada), SB-1795 calls for vision screenings for all children entering kindergarten, first and third grades and is slated to take effect at the start of the 2007-2008 school year.
The “Children’s Vision for Excellence Act” was met with mixed reactions from the eye care community.
“Vision screenings can be an important step toward improving children’s eye care,” David A. Cockrell, OD, a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA) Board of Trustees who practices in Stillwater, Okla., said in an interview. “However, screenings usually miss about one-third of children who should be referred for a comprehensive examination.”
“The Oklahoma Academy of Ophthalmology (OAO) is proud to have taken the leadership role in promoting and fostering this legislation through both houses of the legislature,” said James Ronk, MD, president of the OAO, in an American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) press release.
Specifics of bill
According to the bill’s text, “beginning in the 2007-2008 school year, the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in kindergarten at a public school in this state shall provide certification to school personnel that the student passed a vision screening within the previous twelve (12) months or during the school year.”
The bill states the same requirement for students in the first and third grades. Notice will be given to parents of children who receive these screenings that vision screenings are not the same as comprehensive eye examinations.
The language of the bill also stipulates that the State Department of Health must form an advisory committee to make recommendations to the Board of Health for vision screening standards. This committee will compile a list of qualified screeners, which will be given to the State Department of Health. According to the bill’s text, the committee will include the following:
- one licensed Oklahoma optometrist
- one licensed Oklahoma ophthalmologist
- one representative of the State Department of Health
- one representative of the State Department of Education
- one representative of a statewide organization for the prevention of blindness
The bill further explains that children who fail the vision screening will be advised to undergo a comprehensive eye examination performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Reactions to the bill
The OAO has voiced its satisfaction with the passage of the screening law.
“The children’s vision screening initiative is a priority for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and for Oklahoma ophthalmologists,” said Dr. Ronk in the AAO press release. “Vision screening is the first step toward making sure every child has the opportunity to succeed in school.”
While Dr. Cockrell agreed that screenings can be a first step, he emphasized that screenings alone are not sufficient in detecting vision problems. “Vision problems that are not diagnosed and treated can affect a child’s cognitive, emotional, neurological and physical development by potentially limiting the kinds of information to which children are exposed,” he told Primary Care Optometry News. “For the 2007-2008 school year alone, nearly 42,000 Oklahoma kindergarteners, first graders and third graders who need comprehensive eye exams will be overlooked.”
A subsequent AAO press release read, “On a positive note, as legislative action for the ‘Children’s Vision for Excellence Act’ wrapped up, the Oklahoma optometry association endorsed the bill. The academy sees this action as a positive step and hopes optometry will join them to enact similar legislation in other states for the benefit of children.”
According to Dr. Cockrell, “The AOA looks forward to working with Oklahoma legislators to complete the work they have started by authorizing comprehensive eye examinations for school-age children.”
For more information:
- David A. Cockrell, OD, can be reached at 1711 W. Sixth St., Stillwater, OK 74076; (405) 372-1715; fax: (405) 372-3350; e-mail: dacockrell@cockrelleyecare.com.
- James Ronk, MD, can be reached at Oklahoma Academy of Ophthalmology, 6440 Avondale Dr., Ste. 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73116; (405) 227-9845; fax: (405) 227-9846; e-mail: oao@OkEyeNet.org.