Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: February 28, 2006
Contact: Maria Wah-Fitta, (401) 222-3998

Vision Screening Now Required for Children Entering Kindergarten

A new state law, which took effect January 1, 2006, requires all children entering kindergarten in September 2006, and every year thereafter, to have a vision screening before the start of the school year. The law is available at http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law05/law05382.htm

A child’s vision can be screened by his or her doctor during a regular health check up. If the child fails the vision screening, or if a child has development problems related to the nerves that control vision, he or she must have a full eye exam done by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist). If a child has a full eye exam, the eye doctor is required to give the parent or guardian a written report of the results of the exam and also send the results to both the child’s school and the child’s regular doctor.

“This new screening requirement will allow for earlier detection of vision problems that could make it more difficult for children to keep up with school work,” said David R. Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of Health. “By making vision screenings mandatory for children entering kindergarten, we hope to identify and correct vision problems before they have a chance to impact learning.”

Schools require parents to submit a School Physical Form when they register their children for kindergarten. The form verifies that the child has had a physical exam in the last 12 months and meets all of school entry requirements for immunizations, lead screening, and vision screening.

The School Physical Form is available by calling the Family Health Information Line at 1-800-942-7434 or on line at www.health.ri.gov/topics/schoolphysicalform.php