Kids’ Vision is at Risk in California

In most classrooms, teachers rely on pictures and written words to teach. Studies show that about eighty percent of what children learn comes from seeing things. When a child’s sight is weak, learning suffers early on. A state program that helps low‑income families with health care is not keeping up. A recent study shows only sixteen percent of children on the program get a basic eye checkup. That means five out of six kids miss an important screen. The problem is two‑fold. First, nearsightedness is on the rise. In one Southern California study, almost forty percent of kids aged five to nineteen were already nearsighted. Doctors think long hours staring at screens and little time outside are major culprits.

Second, doctors find it hard to see patients because the state pays them too little. A new eye exam costs the provider less than fifty dollars, which is below most other states and has stayed flat for twenty‑five years. Because of this, many optometrists have left the program, and most parents say it’s difficult to find a doctor who accepts the state plan. Missing eye exams can lead to more than just school trouble. Severe nearsightedness can cause serious eye disease, and a routine check can spot other health problems early. The usual schedule is an exam at six months, another at three years, before first grade, and then yearly or every other year. These exams are quick and affordable, yet the state keeps undervaluing them. Nationwide cuts could cost the program a trillion dollars over ten years, putting millions at risk of losing coverage. The state must step up to protect children’s vision and overall health.

Actions