2007-04-17 21:44:13 -

WASHINGTON, April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congress will have the opportunity to consider legislation supported by the nation's frontline providers of eye and vision care aimed at making it a national priority to combat undiagnosed and untreated vision problems in school-aged children. "The Vision Care for Kids Act of 2007," S. 1175, supported by the American Optometric Association (AOA), was introduced Monday by U.S. Sens. Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-Mo.) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT), leaders in Congress on education and health issues.

"Good vision is critical to learning. This important legislation

will improve vision care for children to better equip them to succeed in school and in life," Sen. Bond said. "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."

In 2006, Senator Bond was presented with the AOA's Health Care Leadership award for his longtime advocacy for eye and vision care for children.

"There is nothing of greater importance than the health and well-being of our nation's children, and good vision care is a critical component of quality health care," Sen. Dodd said. "Left undiagnosed or untreated, vision problems can seriously affect a child's ability to complete their schoolwork and interact with their peers. This bill will help ensure that children get the vision care they need, and will help improve the quality of life for children across the country."

"The Bond-Dodd Vision Care for Kids Act is an important 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., president of the AOA. "Optometry is proud to support true leaders like Senator Bond and Senator Dodd 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."

Ten million children suffer from vision disorders, according to the National Parent Teacher Association. Vision disorders are considered the fourth most common disability in the United States, and they are one of the most prevalent handicapping conditions in childhood.

"About 80 percent of all learning during a child's first 12 years comes through vision. Vision problems that are not diagnosed and treated hinder learning, and cause permanent vision loss," Dr. Crooks said. "That's why the AOA and Doctors of Optometry across the country are working so hard to respond to this national concern through support for comprehensive eye exam programs in the states, legislation to help identify vision problems, the InfantSEE(R) initiative and, from today forward, the 'Vision Care for Kids Act.'"

S. 1175 would establish a federal grant program focusing on treatment to bolster children's vision initiatives in the states and encourage children's vision partnerships with non-profit entities, including groups as committed to the cause of safeguarding the sight of America's children as state optometric associations.

"Optometrists are on the frontline of eye care in communities across our country, and all too often we see the devastating toll on children and their families of vision disorders that were not diagnosed or treated early," said Kentucky's Joe Ellis, O.D., member of the AOA Board of Trustees. "S. 1175 recognizes that more must be done, and I'm proud that the AOA is already working with Senators Bond and Dodd to see it become law."

According to data from the Making the Grade: An analysis of state and federal children's vision care policy research study, 32 states require vision screenings for students, but 29 of them do not require children who fail the screening to have a comprehensive eye examination. Because up to two-thirds of children who fail vision screenings do not comply with recommended eye exams, many children enter school with uncorrected vision problems.

Eye and vision specialists, such as optometrists, are best able to diagnose and treat amblyopia and other vision problems. Amblyopia is treatable and preventable if caught within the early years of a child's life, but it remains the leading cause of vision loss in Americans under age 45. Universal eye exams for children entering school are critical for the early intervention needed to treat diseases and disorders such as amblyopia, strabismus, retinoblastoma, and other serious and potentially blinding problems that can lead to poor school performance and other issues that can ultimately affect quality of life.

To find a nearby optometrist, or to schedule an eye examination for your child, please visit http://www.aoadrlocator.com/ .

About the American Optometric Association (AOA):

The American Optometric Association represents more than 34,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists provide more than two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States and serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country. In 3,500 of those communities they are the only eye doctors.

American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient's overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Prior to optometry school, optometrists undergo three to four years of undergraduate study that typically culminates in a bachelor's degree with extensive, required coursework in areas such as advanced health, science and mathematics. Optometry school consists of four years of post-graduate, doctoral study concentrating on both the eye and systemic health. In addition to their formal training, doctors of optometry must undergo annual continuing education to stay current on the latest standards of care. For more information, visit http://www.aoa.org/ .

Media Contacts: Jon Hymes 202-957-7863 Jfhymes@aoa.org Ken Chitester 312-375-5980 ken.chitester@hillandknowlton.com

Source: American Optometric Association