Awareness key to children’s vision problems
Governor, mayor declare eye priority
by Jim Crawford

SCOTTSDALE – Sight is the most precious sense we possess and concerned parents are advised by experts to address their child’s vision at a very early age.

August is National Children’s Vision and Learning Awareness Month to highlight the importance between vision and learning.

It has been proved there is a direct correlation between good vision and learning ability, American Public Health Association information states.

Recently, The American Optometric Association has pressured Congress to create legislation aimed at making vision health a priority in school‑age children nationwide.

In response, Congress passed the Vision Care for Kids Act of 2007 to establish a federal grant program focusing on treatment, to enhance children’s vision initiatives and encourage partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

Currently 32 states require vision screenings for students, but 29 do not require a complete eye exam for students who fail the screening. Many children enter school with vision problems.

The increasing awareness of children’s vision is great for the kids and a relief to parents, says Tenille Murphy, a certified optometric vision therapist with Advanced Vision & Treatment Centers.

“[Parents] find out their kids aren’t lazy,” Murphy says. “When the eyes aren’t working as a team, schoolwork can take twice as long to complete. The child’s attention span may be shorter or they may retreat into their own little world. It’s not necessarily a behavioral issue. If a child is avoiding near work, has a low attention span, can’t remember what they read, takes a long time to copy or complains of discomfort–these are signs, they are asking for help. Have their vision checked. It just might save them from years of frustration and from falling behind in school.

They want to learn. It’s just natural.

In Arizona, Gov. Janet Napolitono has joined the mayors of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, Chino Valley and Prescott to issue proclamations declaring August Children’s Vision and Learning Month.

“It’s amazing how fast a child is labeled as a troublemaker, lazy or diagnosed as having attention disorders without checking their vision,” Murphy adds. “Parents, teachers, class helpers and tutors need reminding that a child’s behavior is connected to how they see. If a child is not seeing well, their behavior will reflect that. It’s estimated that one in four children has an undiagnosed vision problem–a problem that we need to be aware of and watch for.”

Murphy says awareness is crucial to addressing vision issues in schools and extensive screening is necessary to ensure vision improvement in children.

“Vision screenings that are done in school often only check what ratio they are seeing at,” Murphy explains. “These screenings often don’t reflect how well their eyes work together, or if they are able to follow words on a page, not to mention the other abilities needed for school and everyday life. These skills are tested only by an optometric physician.”

During the month of August, Advanced Vision and Achievement Centers will be conducting free eye screenings for students at their three Valley locations.

Screenings will be from 10 a.m.‑noon Aug. 7 in Carefree; from 4‑6 p.m. Aug. 8 in Phoenix; and from 3‑6 p.m. Aug. 9, 10 a.m‑2 p.m. Aug. 11 and 3‑6 p.m. Aug. 23 in Scottsdale.

For more information call (480) 998‑1453 ext. 115 or visit advanced‑vision.org.