TOPEKA,
Kan. - There is a new initiative promoting healthy vision for young children in
Kansas.
According to the Eye Care Council (ECC) and the American Optometric Association, vision problems are more common than many parents and educators think.
“There are 10 million school children in America with vision conditions that can negatively affect learning,” said Dr. Julie Toon, a Wichita optometrist and president of the ECC.
“Many parents rely on vision screenings in school to check for eye problems; but that isn’t enough,” Toon added.
The Wichita Optometrist said comprehensive exams are needed to detect problems that a simple screening can miss like eye coordination, moderate amounts of farsightedness and astigmatism.
Studies indicate that 60-percent of children identified as problem learners actually suffer from undetected vision problems.
Behavioral problems can also be an indication of vision problems.
To encourage parents to have their young children examined, Pizza Hut is partnering with the Eye Care Council in Kansas.
When Kansas parents get their three year old children’s eyes examined with an EEC optometrist, those parents will receive a certificate for a free personal pan pizza from participating Pizza Huts.
