Academy Continues in the Fight for Eye Care for America.s Youth

(Washington, D.C.) Signaling the urgent need to address untreated vision disorders in children, the American Academy of Ophthalmology fully supports Vision Care for Kids Act of 2007 (H.R.507), which is bipartisan legislation aimed at combating undiagnosed and untreated vision problems. The bill was introduced by Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, as well as Reps. Vito Fossella, R-N.Y., Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and John Sullivan, R-Okla., and the companion bill is to be introduced in the Senate by Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., and Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.

This legislation would bridge an important gap in vision care. While many states have vision screening programs in place, uninsured children often do not have the financial resources for diagnosis and follow-up treatment. The Vision Care for Kids Act of 2007 would complement existing state efforts by providing funding in the form of state grants for eye examinations and follow-up for uninsured children who fail a vision screening.

"We are very pleased to introduce a bill that makes children.s eye care a priority," Fossella said. "Healthy eyes for our children are essential, especially in a learning environment, and we want to make sure that vision problems such as amblyopia do not affect their ability to excel in the classroom."

Catherine G. Cohen, vice president of governmental affairs for the Academy added, "Because the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program is sure to highlight the ongoing needs of our nation's uninsured children, the introduction of this legislation could not be more timely."

The Academy is joining with the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the Vision Council of America, Prevent Blindness America and the American Optometric Association to make treating children's vision a top priority for Congress this year.