07-R084

2007 -- H 6086

Enacted 03/01/07

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2007 TO BE "SAVE YOUR VISION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Slater, Ginaitt, Savage, and Watson

Date Introduced: March 01, 2007

     WHEREAS, Our eyes and the parts of our brain that allow us to understand the visual

information we receive from our eyes make up the unique and awe inspiring sense known as

sight. Our eyesight provides the intimate details of our daily life from the world around us. It

allows us to recognize the faces of those who are important to us and perform complex tasks for

our work and pleasure that otherwise would be impossible; and

     WHEREAS, The future of Rhode Island's culture and economy depends upon the

contributions of all its children and upon their ability to learn the skills that will enable them to

become productive citizens; and

     WHEREAS, The potential for most children to learn depends upon their ability to see

with clarity and precision; and

     WHEREAS, The combined efforts of Saving Sight, the Rhode Island Lions Sight

Foundation, IN-SIGHT, RI Tech Access of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Braille Transcription

Center, and the Office of Early Intervention within the Rhode Island Department of Health, the

Office of Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired within the Rhode Island

Department of Human Services, the Office of Special Education within the Rhode Island

Department of Education, the Paul V. Sherlock Center for Disabilities within Rhode Island

College, the Rhode Island Medical Society, the Rhode Island Optometric Society, the Governor's

Advisory Council for the Blind, and the Rhode Island Parents of Blind and Visually Impaired

Children have focused awareness on the importance of developing a comprehensive educational

and services program for Rhode Island's blind and visually impaired; and

     WHEREAS, Our goal is to increase awareness of the importance of protecting and

preserving vision in young people and children ages twenty-one and under; to engage and inspire

the next generation to consider careers falsely believed to be impossible for the blind; and to

consider fun and challenging activities meant to build their confidence, leadership and career

preparation, as well as their literacy in all fields of their choice; and

     WHEREAS, The aim of our partnership is to have a positive impact on the diagnosis of a

variety of serious vision problems including nearsightedness, farsightedness, lazy eye,

astigmatism, misaligned eyes and unequal refraction, and diseases of the eye in infants, toddlers,

preschoolers and students; and

     WHEREAS, The most powerful tool in the battle against vision loss is early detection.

Many vision problems begin well before a child reaches school age. Every effort must be made to

ensure that children, before the age of five, receive an eye-screening exam from their health care

providers. Comprehensive eye exams for children, particularly for neurodevelopmentally delayed

children, should be encouraged and need to be made available to all children regardless of their

economic background; and

     WHEREAS, Through the collaborative efforts of Rhode Island Medical Society, Rhode

Island Optometric Association, Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island School Nurse

Association, Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, this state is a

national leader for vision screening exams and reports to education authorities for children ages

birth to twenty-one; and

     WHEREAS, Vision is an essential part of everyday life, affecting how we learn,

communicate, work, play, and interact with the world. Millions of Americans lose some or all of

their vision each year as a result of eye diseases and health conditions such as macular

degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, or diabetes; and

     WHEREAS, Millions of people with diabetes are at risk for developing diabetic

retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness. A dilated eye exam can indicate this complication, as

well as revealing the signs of many other eye diseases and disorders long before a person

experiences pain or any other noticeable symptom. New technologies and treatments are available

that can prevent sudden blindness in individuals with diabetes; and

     WHEREAS, Through early intervention and treatment, the vision loss accompanying

such diseases can be reduced, postponed, or even prevented. Early detection, timely treatment and

follow-up care can reduce the risk of vision loss by up to ninety-five percent. Protective eyewear

can also play a vital role in saving vision, particularly for individuals who work with chemicals or

operate machinery; and

     WHEREAS, Healthy vision is a precious gift. It allows us to enjoy the beauty of nature,

the smile of a loved one, and the many wonders in the world around us. Unfortunately for 14

million Americans, eye problems can interfere with daily activities and inhibit the enjoyment of

life; and

     WHEREAS, Health officials have identified the most significant and preventable threats

to vision. According to the Department of Health and Human Service's Healthy People 2010

report, visual impairment represents one of our country's ten most frequent causes of disability;

and

     WHEREAS, To help avoid or remedy vision problems, we must remain dedicated to the

prevention of eye injuries, emphasize early detection of eye disease, work to research and develop

new treatments and rehabilitation therapies, and promote vision health awareness. All Rhode

Islanders should take steps to ensure that eye health becomes a priority in our homes, businesses,

and communities. We should commit to receiving regular dilated eye examinations; we should

wear protective eyewear when necessary, both recreationally and on the job; and we must make

every effort to ensure children ages five and under receive vision screening; and

     WHEREAS, Vision loss is most common among people over the age of 65, which is one

of the fastest growing populations in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Though vision loss cannot always be restored, vision rehabilitation

techniques and products can make daily life more trouble-free for people who have low or

reduced vision. More than two million Americans have low vision, a visual impairment that

cannot be corrected with standard glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery. Numerous

rehabilitation services and adaptive devices are available to help people with low vision

maximize the use of their remaining vision, allowing them to travel safely, take care of their

home, meet career objectives, and enjoy leisure activities. From improved lighting in stairways

and closets, talking clocks and computers, to large print labels on appliances, there are many

products and services that can help people with low vision to maintain their confidence and

independence, as well as improve their overall quality of life; and

     WHEREAS, Out of its concern for the eyesight of the American people, Congress

created the National Eye Institute in 1968. By a joint resolution approved on December 30, 1963,

and as amended (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 138), congress authorized and requested the President to

proclaim the first week in March of each year as "Save Your Vision Week." During this year's

observance, let us renew our commitment to fight the causes of visual impairment and support

good eye health; and

     WHEREAS, Everyday, physicians and researchers make progress in the search for better

treatment-and ultimately a cure-for vision loss. In this new century, emerging technologies will

improve upon existing visual devices and techniques, and new medications will ensure more

effective treatment of eye diseases and disorders. By investing in research and technology, and

committing to regular comprehensive eye examinations, we can look forward to a brighter,

healthier future for ourselves and our children; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the month of March 2007 to be "Save Your Vision

Month" in the State of Rhode Island, and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House encourages all the citizens of the State of Rhode Island to

recognize the importance of safeguarding their eyesight and learn more about ways to prevent eye

problems, and help others maintain the invaluable asset of eye sight; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House urges professionals, the media, and all public and private

organizations, dedicated to preserving eyesight, to join in activities aimed at raising public

awareness of the various measures that can be taken to protect and sustain our vision; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the National Federation of the Blind, Saving

Sight, The Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation, IN-SIGHT RI, TechACCESS of Rhode Island,

Rhode Island Braille Transcription Center, and the Office of Early Intervention within the Rhode

Island Department of Human Services, the Office of Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and

Visually Impaired within the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, the Office of Special

Education within the Rhode Island Department of Education, the Paul V. Sherlock Center for

Disabilities within Rhode Island College, the Rhode Island Medical Society, the Rhode Island

Optometric Society, the Governor's Advisory Council for the Blind, and the Rhode Island Parents

of Blind and Visually Impaired Children.

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LC02443

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