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House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	May 17, 2017 04:00 PM
From:	Representative Kathy L. Rapp
To:	All House members
Subject:	Early Childhood Vision Care Education Program (Prior House Bill 484)

In the near future, I plan to reintroduce legislation (prior House Bill 484 - passed the House 200-0 on November 17, 2015) that directs the Department of Health to establish the Early Childhood Vision Care Education Program. The National Institute of Health reports that many vision problems develop before children reach school age. Less than 15 percent of all preschool children receive an eye exam, and less than 22 percent of preschool children receive some type of vision screening. Early recognition of eye disorders and disease results in more effective treatment that can be sight saving or even lifesaving. The most common disabling childhood vision disorders include amblyopia, strabismus, and significant refractive errors. In addition, retinoblastoma, the most common type of eye tumor in children and one of the most common pediatric cancers, can be detected in a routine eye examination. Retinoblastoma is almost always fatal if left untreated. However, early diagnosis and treatment saves lives and preserves visual function. Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation. Previous Cosponsors of House Bill 484: BAKER, PICKETT, KAUFFMAN, BENNINGHOFF, STEPHENS, BISHOP, JAMES, KILLION, KINSEY, COHEN, CAUSER, DEASY, PASHINSKI, GABLER, MURT, A. HARRIS, O'NEILL, READSHAW, D. COSTA, FARINA, GRELL, DAVIDSON, HARHAI, WATSON, SAYLOR, KORTZ, DAVIS, and DIAMOND

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