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 and comfortably at 10–13″
- Distance Vision See clearly and comfortably beyond arm’s length
- Binocular Coordination Eyes work together
- Eye / Hand Coordination Eyes and hands work together
- Eye Movement Skills Eyes move accurately across a page and 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 (PDF)
Children’s Vision Law Brochure (PDF)
Senate Bill NO. 16 (PDF)
Presentation on the children’s vision bill (Power Point presentation)
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 affects 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.
