1. Common vision disorders in children 2. Purpose for the law 3. History of the law 4. Details 5. Children’s Vision Commission 6. Difference between exams & screenings 7. Financial questions 8. Resources for help

Myopia (nearsighted)

Hyperopia (farsighted)

Astigmatism (oval shaped cornea)

Amblyopia (lazy eye)

Strabismus (eye turn)

Focusing problems◦ Accommodation◦ Convergence

Blur at distance*Trouble seeing the chalkboard

Light focuses before it reaches the retina

Causes◦ Eye too long◦ Cornea too curved

Corrected by:◦ Eyeglasses◦ Contacts

Blur at near◦ Trouble seeing books

Light focuses after reaching the retina

Causes◦ Eye too short◦ Cornea too flat

Corrected by:◦ Eyeglasses◦ Contacts

Blur distance and near

Caused by irregular shaped cornea

Corrected by:◦ Eyeglasses◦ Contacts

Blur at distance and near even with correction

Causes◦ Developmental◦ Refractive◦ Eye turn

Treatments◦ Patching◦ Atropine drops◦ Glasses, contacts◦ Vision therapy

Typically affect reading only

Focusing muscles not working properly◦ Accommodation◦ Convergence

Corrected by:◦ Eyeglasses?◦ Vision Therapy?

May cause double vision Poor depth perception

◦ Distance◦ Near

Causes:◦ Muscle imbalance◦ Hyperopia

Corrected by:◦ Eyeglasses, contacts if refractive◦ Surgery may be necessary◦ Vision Therapy may be necessary

* National Eye Institute

Original bill was sponsored by Speaker of the House Rod Jetton.

Speaker Jetton’s son had a vision disorder that wasn’t diagnosed until he had an eye examination by Dr. Steve Tilley.

The bill that passed this year was sponsored by Rep. David Pearce in the house and by Sen. Delbert Scott in the senate.

Beginning July 1, 2008 all children entering kindergarten or first grade are required to have a comprehensive eye examination. Evidence of the exam shall be submitted to the school no later than January1, of the school year.

The law “sunsets” in 2012, when it will be re-evaluated by the Children’s Vision Commission and the Missouri legislature.

Parents may “opt out” of the examination with

written notice to the school district.

There are no penalties associated with the law.

Two optometrists

Two ophthalmologists

One school nurse

One Rep. from Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education

One Rep. from Missouri School Board Association

Establish statewide guidelines for exams and reporting process

Monitor exam results and make recommendation to state legislature on whether to continue law at it’s sunset.

What’s the Difference Between an Eye Examination

and a Vision Screening?

Often performed by pediatrician, school nurse or volunteer

May detect myopia, hyperopia, color or depth perception problems

Amblyopia screenings?

Not comprehensive but very valuable

Performed by optometrist or ophthalmologist

Can detect and treat myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, amblyopia, strabismus and focusing disorders

Estimated that 70% of these children already have insurance coverage for comprehensive eye exams.

Parent’s responsibility

Blindness Education Fund

Charitable organizations, ie. Vision Service Plan, Cerner First Hand Foundation.

Donations by the doctors.

Every single child in Missouri deserves to opportunity to reach their full potential as a student.

Educators have been mandated with “No Child Left Behind”

80% of learning during a child’s early school years is through vision.

Without at least one comprehensive eye exam, some of our children will continue to “slip through the cracks”.

Missouri Optometric Association◦ www.moeyecare.org