 |
|
VANCOUVER
– All children in kindergarten in
British Columbia will receive free testing for early vision problems, Premier
Gordon Campbell announced today.
“Children
learn mostly through what they see,” said Premier Campbell. “That’s why it’s so important to detect and
address potential eye problems as early as possible, so all children in B.C.
have the opportunity to reach their maximum potential.”
Early
vision screening can detect common vision problems, such as near- and
far-sightedness, amblyopia (“lazy eye”) or strabismus (“cross-eye”). If the screening identifies a potential
problem, the child will be referred to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for
follow up.
“Excellent
sight and eye health are vital to a child’s development,” said Minister of
State for Childcare Linda Reid. “This initiative ensures parents and other
caregivers get the latest information on their children’s eye health and vision
and what they can do if there are concerns.”
Public
health staff members go into kindergartens and use hand-held screening devices
that will help them take readings. Approximately 40,000 kindergarten children
will be tested by the end of the 2007/2008 school year.
“It’s
exciting that all kindergarten children in B.C. schools will have their vision
tested in the classroom by the end of June 2008,” said Lori Phillips,
principal of Queen Mary elementary school. “It’s a significant preventative
measure in protecting the future of our children.”
Today’s
announcement completes the third phase of government’s early childhood
screening program commitment. The Province has already implemented the first
two phases of the early childhood screening program: early hearing screening in
all neonatal intensive care units, and early childhood dental screening that
includes screening surveys for kindergarten children. The cost of the vision
program is $5.53 million, with the cost of implementing all three initiatives
at $21.43 million.
Pilot
programs to provide vision screening for preschool children (three-year-olds)
will begin in the spring of 2008 with the eventual goal of transferring the
vision screening program from kindergarten children to preschool children.
-30-
|
contact: |
Communications Director Office of the Premier 250 387-6605 |
Communications Director Ministry of Health 250 920-8500 (cell) 250 952-1889 (media line) |
|
|
||
|
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
||
