Chapter 24 Vision was added to the Healthy Iowans 2010 in 2005 during the Mid-Course Review. Prior to that time, Iowa had not included a Vision Chapter. The members of the Vision Chapter Committee included representatives from the Iowa Department of Education, Prevent Blindness Iowa, the Iowa Department for the Blind, the Iowa Optometric Association, the Iowa Department of Public Health, Kemin Health, the Iowa Academy of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology, and Iowa KidSight.
In 2004, approximately 3.3 million persons aged 40 years had blindness or visual impairment. This number is predicted to double by 2030 because of increases in diabetes and other chronic diseases and aging of the U.S. population. With early detection and treatment, half of all blindness can be prevented or reversed.
Founded in 1958, Prevent Blindness Iowa is at work in communities in Iowa with sight-saving programs for children, adults and older citizens. Prevent Blindness Iowa is a leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight through public and professional education, early detection, patient services and research. Financial Resources - Prevent Blindness Iowa has helped some students if they qualify for assistance. For more information call (800)-329-8782.
The University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences has a long history of providing the best care for patients, conducting essential research, and educating today's and tomorrow's ophthalmologists and visual science researchers. The tradition of excellence continues. http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/
Iowa KidSight is currently one of 18 state-wide preschool vision-screening programs carried out by volunteer Lions Club members. The program is administered through the University of Iowa, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Any young child living in Iowa is eligible for the service. There is no cost to families to participate.
Iowa Lions Clubs adopt KidSight as a community service project. Screening sessions are typically scheduled in local childcare facilities, public health settings, and/or advertised for a public location. Lions Club volunteers are trained to use a camera which takes special instant pictures of the eyes. The photographs are interpreted, and the results are returned to families by staff in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa. If a possible vision problem is detected, a letter of referral and a list of local optometrists and ophthalmologists are sent to the Parent/Guardian. Follow-up on any child being referred is also part of the package of services.
The purpose of the screenings are to detect near- and far-sightedness, differences in the refractive errors in the eyes, astigmatism, problems inside the eye (such as cataracts), and misalignments of the eye. These conditions are often not noticeable in young children and can lead to Amblyopia if not detected and treated early in life. The earlier vision problems are detected, the more easily and successfully they can be treated. To request a free screening, contact your local Lions Club or the Iowa KidSight office (319-353-7616).
The vocational rehabilitation program in the Iowa Department for the Blind works with blind and visually impaired Iowans who want to go back to work or retain their job after vision loss.
Rehabilitation counselors work with clients to establish career goals, connect with employers, help them find the right job and provide training and equipment assistance while on the job.
The Department works with clients in every sector of the workforce, from workers in information technology to restaurant employees to those working in the financial and insurance industries. The Department helps clients, employers and co-workers understand that being blind does not have to prevent someone from working. In fact, blind employees are more likely to be reliable and able to perform their jobs as well as, or even better than, their sighted peers.
The Iowa Optometric Association Web site is a resource that can help you locate an eye doctor in your community, provide information on eye health conditions as they relate to certain diseases and the recommended frequency for getting eye examinations. The Web site offers advice on how to maintain healthy vision throughout your life. Information is also available on programs that help low-income Iowans without vision insurance and InfantSEE, a program providing free eye assessments for infants ages six to 12 months. Free informational brochures are availalble to the public.
Rehabilitation counselors work with clients to establish career goals, connect with employers, help them find the right job and provide training and equipment assistance while on the job.
The Department works with clients in every sector of the workforce, from workers in information technology to restaurant employees to those working in the financial and insurance industries. The Department helps clients, employers and co-workers understand that being blind does not have to prevent someone from working. In fact, blind employees are more likely to be reliable and able to perform their jobs as well as, or even better than, their sighted peers.
Every Year, Iowa Optometric Association mails a packet of Student Vision Cards to each school with kindergarteners and requests for the Cards be placed in kindergarten information packets. Experts estimate that 80% of learning is obtained through vision. Schools will benefit from the use of this card as more children entering school are visually prepared to learn. The most significant vision abnormalities develop before or around the time of entry into school. The Student Vision Cards encourage parents to take their child to an eye doctor as part of their back-to-school preparations.
The following organizations join the IOA in recommending the use of Student Vision Cards in Iowa's public and private schools: Iowa Department of Education , Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa PTA, Prevent Blindness Iowa, Iowa Academy of Ophthalmology.
If you have any questions or need additional Student Vision Cards, please contact Jill Gonder at the Iowa Optometric Association at (515) 222-5679.
The site can help you locate an Eye MD in your area and understand the role that ophthalmologists play in your eye care, Links to resources are also provided to access free or low cost eye screening opportunities for pre-school children.
Vision Chapter Committee Members 
CDC's Vision Health Initiative (VHI) has launched a NEW interactive Web site. The VHI Web site offers access to a vast array of information regarding this initiative, past and current projects with diverse stakeholders, publications in peer reviewed journals, as well as vision-related resources for consumers and professionals. Highlights of the new Web site include:
National and state data regarding vision health are available for use in research reports or presentations. Links to data sources available to the VHI are also provided.
For more information please visit www.cdc.gov/visionhealth.
