AOA Focus on Vision Summit

The American Optometric Association just released a Joint Statement that states, “… healthy eyes and vision are important to a child’s ability to succeed in school and later in life … We are concerned that undiagnosed and untreated vision problems among school-aged children in the US is an urgent national public health challenge.  With 1 in 4 school-aged children now suffering from a vision problem that could have been effectively treated if properly detected, it’s clear the current system is broken …  On behalf of the millions of children who, today, are not receiving the essential eye and vision health care services they need, we join together to urge a sustained and committed inter-disciplinary approach to eliminating untreated and undiagnosed vision problems from America’s schools.”

Click here to read the entire statement.

The statement is currently signed by 20 professional organizations including:

American Federation of Teachers

American Optometric Association

American Publich Health Association

College of Optometrists in Vision Development

Council for Exceptional Children

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practioners

National Association of School Nurses

National Head Start Association

Prevent Blindness America

The Vision Council

And others…

This is a great start for helping kids become more successful in school, improve sports and confidence!

By:  Dr. Lynn F. Hellerstein, Colorado Optometrist in Vision Therapy & Visual Processing