Georgia's New Bill Links Vision Care to Child Literacy Crisis
A new bill aims to tackle Georgia's child literacy crisis by improving vision care in schools. State Rep. Kim Schofield will soon file The Georgia Student Vision and Literacy Readiness Act, which links eye health to reading performance. The proposal comes as studies show rising vision problems among children and a shortage of optometrists in rural areas.
The act would introduce stricter vision screening rules in Georgia schools. Currently, screenings are limited, but the new law would require checks in kindergarten and grades one, three, five, seven, and 10. Parents would receive screening results, and schools would have to confirm follow-up eye exams within 60 school days.
To support the changes, the bill would establish the Georgia Vision Access Fund. This fund would pay for advanced digital screening tools, staff training, and vision care for uninsured or underinsured students. The goal is to remove financial barriers that prevent children from getting the treatment they need.
Research highlights the connection between vision and literacy. A 2024 Emory Eye Center study found that 36% of children now have myopia, a condition linked to increased screen time. Meanwhile, 70% of Georgia's fourth graders struggle to read at grade level. The act would also push state agencies to share data between vision screening results and literacy scores, helping to track progress.
Access to eye care remains a major challenge, especially in rural Georgia. The Emory study revealed that 52 counties have no optometrists at all. Without local specialists, many children go without proper diagnosis or treatment, further affecting their ability to learn.
If passed, the act would expand vision screenings, fund care for vulnerable students, and track how better eye health influences reading skills. Schools would play a key role in ensuring children receive timely exams and follow-up treatment. The changes could help address both rising myopia rates and Georgia's persistent literacy gaps.
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