At a Glance
- According to the National Parent Teacher Association, an estimated 10 million children suffer from
vision problems.
- Studies reveal that 60% of students identified as problem learners have undiagnosed vision problems.
- Prevent Blindness America statistics show that 1 in 20 preschoolers and 1 in 4 school-age children
have vision problems.
Vision Changes Over Time
Conservative estimates show 10 - 15% of children (8 - 12 million kids) are at risk from an undetected
vision impairment, but children whose world has gone fuzzy don’t know they aren’t seeing like
everyone else. Diagnosing their vision problems requires a comprehensive eye examination from a
trained eye care professional.
Comprehensive eye examinations diagnose:
- Amblyopia (“lazy eye”) which affects 5% of children.
- Color vision deficiencies (color blindness), which affect 8% of all boys.
- Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, three common refractive problems that are easily
treated with corrective lenses.
Downloads
Print the following patient form and bring it to your eye exam appointment.
(Adobe Reader required)
Childrens Vision Law
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 January first of the school year.
Children will not be kept out of school because they lack
the eye exam requirement, and every effort will be made to
make sure all Missouri’s children are ready to learn.
About the Law
- The Commission will be composed of
two optometrists, two ophthalmologists,
one school nurse, a representative of the
Department of Secondary and Elementary
Education, and a representative from the
Missouri School Board Association.
- The Commission will establish statewide
guidelines for the exams and the reporting
process.
- The Missouri statute calls for the
formation of a Children’s Vision
Commission, the members of which
shall be appointed by the governor.
Vision Skills Needed for School
A good education means good schools and teachers. It also
requires good vision. When children can’t see well, they are
at an educational disadvantage. Basic vision skills needed for
school are:
- Near Vision See clearly & comfortably at 10-13”
- Distance Vision See clearly & comfortably beyond
arm’s length
- Binocular Coordination Eyes work together
- Eye / Hand Coordination Eyes & hands work together
- Eye Movement Skills Eyes move accurately across a
page & shift quickly from one thing to another
- Focusing Skills Both eyes focus at proper distance &
change focus quickly
- Peripheral Awareness Aware of things at side while
looking straight ahead
Children's Vision Law Online Resources
Missouri Optometric Association: Children's Vision Law FAQ
Letter to Public School Administrators & School Nurses
Children's Vision Law Brochure
Senate Bill NO. 16
(Power Point Presentation)
Presentation on the children's vision bill
| 
