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Proposed Calif. bill requires vision exams for schoolchildren
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An act has been introduced in California requiring that a student’s vision be appraised by a physician, optometrist or ophthalmologist.
The current law allows for a school nurse or other authorized person to assess vision in the pupil’s kindergarten year or upon first enrollment in elementary school and in grades 2, 5 and 8, according to the legislation.
The act, AB 1110, would amend Section 49455 of the Education Code and was introduced by Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-Inglewood).
The bill prohibits a school from denying admission to or taking adverse action against a pupil if his or her parent or guardian fails to provide the results of the vision examination.
It requires a vision exam by a physician, optometrist or ophthalmologist upon first enrollment or entry in a California school district and at least every second year thereafter until the pupil has completed grade 8.
“This legislation will serve as a safety net to ensure every child has his or her full potential to learn and perform in school,” David Redman, OD, chair of the legislation and regulatory committee, California Optometric Association, wrote in a letter to Burke on March 10.
The examination shall include tests for distance and near visual acuity, eye tracking, binocular vision, skills including both eye teaming and convergence, accommodation, color vision, depth perception, intraocular pressure, pupil evaluation, objective and subjective refraction, and eye health evaluations, according to the legislation.
If the results of the vision examination are not provided to the school by the parents or guardians, the student’s vision shall be evaluated by the school nurse or other person authorized under Section 49452 during the kindergarten year, or upon first enrollment or entry, and in grades 2, 5, and 8.
The founding dean of Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry, VSP Vision Care and the California Optometric Association issued letters in support for AB 1110, according to a memo from the California State Board of Optometry.
“Eye exams are also extremely important for our youngest Californians, who have more difficulty
succeeding in school if they have vision problems,” VSP Vision Care President Kate Renwick-Espinosa wrote in a letter to Burke on March 1. “This bill will help support the health and success of children by ensuring all children receive a comprehensive eye exam.”
Source: www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov