Optometric Associations Proposed Resolution

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Proposed (your state) Optometric Assoc. Resolution

IMPORTANCE OF

COMPREHENSIVE EYE AND VISION EXAMINATIONS

WHEREAS,   It is estimated that one-in-four school-aged children have a vision problem; and

WHEREAS,   Undiagnosed and untreated vision impairments during the important formative years of a child’s development can interfere with learning and contributes to poor performance in school; and

WHEREAS,   Vision screenings are limited, cannot provide a diagnosis nor prescribe treatment, and can only identify possible vision problems, thus leaving the children not identified at risk with undetected and untreated eye or vision problems; and

WHEREAS,   Eye and vision problems, including amblyopia, a loss of vision which develops after constant suppression of vision of one eye and usually needs to be diagnosed by the age of 6 years in order to prevent the leading cause of monocular blindness in children and young adults, are best detected and treated early; and

WHEREAS,   Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor; and

WHEREAS,   A complete eye and vision evaluation includes eye health, visual acuity, and visual efficiency; and

WHEREAS,   Knowledge regarding the critical importance of an examination by an eye doctor, to ensure healthy eyes and good vision skills as a child’s best school supply, is not widely held by parents, teachers, administrators, nor the public at large;  now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That (your state) Optometric Association support the mission of the non-profit charitable and education organization Vision First Foundation to raise the standards of eye care for our children’s visual welfare so no child will experience school with an undetected and untreated eye or vision problem; and be it further

                     

RESOLVED, That (your state) Optometric Association recognize the “Kids Eyes Count Campaign” by Vision First Foundation as a valuable and approved program of education for parents, schools, and the public at large emphasizing vision screening is not a substitute for an eye examination and that comprehensive eye and vision examinations are important for all children first entering school and throughout the school-aged years to ensure healthy eyes and good vision skills essential for success in school; and be it further

                      

RESOLVED, That (your state) Optometric Association include and encourage its members to attend CE offerings in functional vision and learning related care consisting of education in the areas of amblyopia, strabismus, visual efficiency, and visual processing skills; and be it further  

 

RESOLVED, That (your state) Optometric Association bring this resolution to the American Optometric Association for presentation at their 2008 convention.