Illinois mandates vision screening

I'm sure everyone is heard of Matthews Optometrist Jim Black. A licensed optometrist, Black went into politics late in life, but eventually became one of the state's most powerful politicians. After serving two terms in the N.C. House of Representatives in the early 1980s, Black lost three campaigns in a row. In 1990, he was re-elected and soon moved into leadership. He served as speaker of the house a record-tying four terms, including a historic co-speakership with Republican Rep. Richard Morgan.

He started a program to help children get screened for vision problems prior to entering the school system. The vision care program began as a mandate on parents to have their children seen by an optometrist before they entered kindergarten. The requirement caused an uproar after Black wrote it into the 2005 budget.

In Illinois things look different.

In continuing coverage from previous editions of First Look, Illinois's Herald News reported, "Starting this school year, all kindergartners and children entering Illinois schools from [an] out of state or home school must provide proof of an optometric exam by Oct. 15."

According to optometrist Sandra Bury, O.D., "Finding vision problems early is crucial to correcting them." Should "near- and farsightedness, depth perception, and clarity" not be "fixed by age 10 or 11, kids will suffer with them for life. After that, their bodies become more resistant to change." Children with persistent vision problems may be "more likely to have problems in school." Dr. Bury noted how "[p]arents often return to her office, telling [her] that glasses turned their children's academic lives around." Illinois now joins Kentucky among states mandating eye examinations. Dr. Bury said, "This is the biggest thing to happen to eye care, ever."

I think we are doing a dis service to our kids here in NC by not having a similar mandate. But that is for other powers to decide...

Posted in: eyecare, NC law, vision screening