U.S. Flag and Missouri State Flag Kit Bond, Sixth Generation Missourian
 

BOND BILL TO ENSURE CHILDREN GET VITAL VISION CARE

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Kit Bond today introduced the Vision Care for Kids Act of 2006 to combat undiagnosed and untreated vision problems in school-aged children.

“Good vision is critical to learning. In fact, eighty percent of what children learn in their early school years is visual. This important legislation will improve vision care for children to better equip them to succeed in school and in life, said Senator Kit Bond. “With the support of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association and the Vision Council of America together we will make a difference in the lives of children across the country.”

Undiagnosed and untreated vision problems for children is a serious issue, Bond stressed, who suffers from permanent vision loss from his own undiagnosed vision problem, amblyopia, as a child. Bond pointed out that vision problems can affect a child’s cognitive, emotional, neurological and physical development. While vision disorders are considered the fourth most common disability in the United States, two-thirds of all children entering school have never received a vision test. For the one-third of children who do receive a vision test, approximately 40-67 percent of the children who fail the test do not receive the recommended follow-up care.

The Vision Care for Kids Act of 2006 will ensure that children get the vital vision care that they need to succeed in school, said Bond, by establishing a grant program to compliment and encourage existing state efforts to improve children’ s vision care and educate parents, teachers and health care professionals about healthy vision.

“There is nothing more important than helping children see their way into adulthood,” said Michael X. Repka, M.D., professor of ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University and Academy secretary for government affairs. “This act helps kids do just that.”

“Senator Bond’s Vision Care for Kids Act is an important summertime assignment for Congress and a timely reminder for America of what needs to be done to help concerned parents and teachers ensure that no child is left behind in the classroom due to an undiagnosed or untreated vision problem,” said C. Thomas Crooks, III, O.D., and president of the AOA. “Optometry is proud to support a true leader like Senator Bond in the effort to provide states with the resources – the Federal dollars -- they need to make children’s vision and classroom learning a top priority.”

“The Vision Council of America applauds Senator Bond's leadership and ongoing commitment to strengthening the vision health of the nation's children,” said Andrea Gluck, Chairman of the Vision Council of America. “We strongly support and commend the Senator for crafting a very thoughtful and achievable piece of legislation that will have a great impact for generations to come.”

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