New Report Identifies States with Best and Worst Laws for Kids’ Vision

There is a growing trend among policymakers to enact laws that increase the number of school-age children that receive preventive vision care, including eye exams and vision screenings. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two out of three children do not receive preventive vision care before starting elementary school, putting their physical and emotional development at risk.

Making the Grade?, a new report issued by the Vision Council of America (VCA) available at www.2020advocacy.com, is a detailed analysis of state and federal efforts to prevent vision problems in children. Since 1999, several states have enacted innovative vision care laws that seek to address the problems inherent in the current vision care system; approximately 15 other states are considering such measures. And on the national level, federal policymakers have taken steps to educate Americans about the importance of vision care for children.

“Early detection of pediatric vision problems is essential for children to learn and succeed in school,” said Joel Zaba, M.A., O.D., an optometrist and child development specialist. “If left undiagnosed and untreated, vision problems can lead to permanent vision loss and learning difficulties. These new laws address many of the problems of our current vision care system and will ensure that children have the necessary visual skills needed for their school performance.”

Preventive vision care falls into two categories: eye exams and vision screening. A vision screening is a test administered by a layperson, nurse or physician that detects visual acuity problems. An eye exam is more comprehensive and is only performed by an eye doctor (an optometrist or an ophthalmologist). This examination measures a number of critical visual skills, such as using both eyes as a team and the ability for the eyes to focus properly when reading a book or using a computer, as well as eye health.

According to Making the Grade?, states have adopted new strategies to increase the number of children that receive an exam from an eye doctor. In 1999, Kentucky enacted a law that requires all children to receive an eye exam before entering elementary school. Since then, three states have enacted similar laws. Ohio and Massachusetts require exams, but only for children with special needs, who are at higher risk for vision problems. Massachusetts and Arkansas require eye exams for children that fail a vision screening.

“Mandatory eye exams after a failed screening are one of the most exciting new developments in children’s vision care,” said Zaba. “So many children who fail a vision screening never receive the necessary follow-up evaluation or treatment. By requiring a follow-up eye exam, both Massachusetts and Arkansas will address one of screenings’ biggest flaws and greatly reduce the number of students who fall through the cracks.”

Yet despite the trend towards better vision care, Making the Grade? found that twenty-nine of the thirty-one states that require a vision screening, including Connecticut, do not require a follow-up eye exam for those who fail.¹ Neglecting to include such a provision greatly minimizes the impact of these well-intended laws.