Blagojevich gives partial veto to bill requiring eye exams

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 11:08 PM CDT

SPRINGFIELD — A plan that would have required Illinois children to see an eye specialist for a full exam before beginning school in kindergarten or first grade has been rejected for now.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich changed legislation this week pushed by the Illinois Federation of Teachers that would have required a full examination by an optometrist or other eye specialist.

Department of Public Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said it isn’t necessary to force all children to see an eye specialist when only 10 percent need to.

“This would be an inefficient approach toward children’s eye health,” she said.

A partial veto by Blagojevich means children can have their eyes checked by any doctor, who can then refer children that need extra attention if necessary. Lawmakers can now approve the governor’s changes or override him.

Michael Horstman, executive director of the Illinois Optometric Association, said that vision screenings not done by eye specialists can miss 30 percent of problems that could be subtle and not detected in a routine screening.

He says having a full exam is a good idea so children can better participate in school.

“Teachers got tired of having children in the classroom that can’t see,” Horstman said.

State Sen. Deanna Demuzio, D-Carlinville, sponsored the legislation and said she’ll try to get Blagojevich’s veto overridden.

She said that children going into school should have rigorous eye exams, even though screenings by general doctors are helpful, too.

“But do we get that thorough of an exam?” she said.

The legislation is Senate Bill 641.