Children Vision Issues Committee

by Yvonne Schnellbach, LDO

October 2nd, 2006

    The Children Vision Issues Committee was created by fellow 
Opticians concerning the vision screening in grade schools. We believe testing for near vision should be a requirement. We need all the Chapters in our state to help on this committee. 
    The Yakima public grade schools rejected my proposal of using 
a near-point card, or a +200 flipper device. They will only do what the state requires them to do. They lack funding and personnel to conduct the testing. Parent volunteers could help with the screening process. I sent 25 letters out in March, to the PTA presidents in our valley, explaining my proposal and offering to do a short presentation at their next PTA meeting. As eyecare professionals, we cannot assist in the screening process in our State. 
    Many children have Hyperopia, or an accomodative dysfunction. 
These children are overlooked and placed in a slower learning group, 
which doesn't help their self-esteem or confidence. Our children deserve the best screening we can provide, so they can excel. We need to update this ancient screening process, and make parents aware of the importance of near testing. 
    We need more volunteers on this committee. We cannot pursue 
this legislatively yet, but we can sure get some parents excited about this. Hopefully, this will generate more complete eye exams. We will have a brochure to hand out in the near future.

Questions or suggestions? I'm at yakyvonne@yahoo.com.

Yvonne Schnellbach, LDO
Chairperson, Children Vision Issues Committee

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