Doctors of Optometry Applaud New Law Requiring Eye Exams for Illinoi...(atment of eyeand vision problems prior t...),Health

Comprehensive eye examinations are a cost-effective investment in Illinois's children. Approximately 70 percent of children are insured for comprehensive eye exams through private insurance, Medicaid, S-CHIP or other state or federal programs. Optometrists, ophthalmologists and local charitable organizations have provided ongoing assistance for families in need.

Doctors encourage parents to take their children at any time within the next year for a comprehensive eye exam to ensure they meet the necessary requirements in time for the beginning of the next school year.

For more information and local resources, please visit http://www.ioaweb.org.

To find a nearby optometrist, or to schedule an eye examination for your child, please visit http://www.aoadrlocator.com.

About the American Optometric Association (AOA):

The American Optometric Association represents more than 34,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists provide more than two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States and serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country. In 3,500 of those communities they are the only eye doctors.

American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient's overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Prior to optometry school, optometrists undergo three to four years of undergraduate study that typically culminates in a bachelo
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