Q and A ... on eye exams

Last Modified: Monday, March 20, 2006 at 6:26 a.m.

The state General Assembly established a new law mandating comprehensive eye exams for all kindergarten-age children before they can enter school. The following are some questions and answers about this issue.

Q: How did this law come into being?

A : The program was inserted in the House version of the budget last June with the backing of House Speaker Jim Black, who is an optometrist.

Q: What does the law say exactly?

A: The new requirement would keep children out of kindergarten unless they receive a comprehensive eye exam conducted by a North Carolina optometrist or ophthalmologist within six months of starting school.

Q: Is anyone opposed to the new law?

A: The North Carolina School Boards Association is suing to block the law. William Cook III, a Raleigh parent whose child will enter kindergarten this fall, also filed a lawsuit challenging the law, and Superior Court Judge Leon Stanback consolidated the two lawsuits Tuesday after meeting with lawyers from both sides. Henderson, Polk, Transylvania and Buncombe County's school boards have all joined the NCSBA lawsuit.

Q: Why are they against this?

A: Opponents of the eye exams say the examinations, which cost from $65 to more than $120 in some cases, are too expensive and unnecessary because children already must receive vision screening before entering school.

Q: What do opponents want?

A: They want the law declared unconstitutional because they argue it denies children a free public education and creates an unreasonable barrier to access public schools.

Q: When does the law take effect?

A: A Superior Court judge approved an agreement Tuesday that blocks the state from requiring eye examinations this year for children entering kindergarten. The order signed by Stanback prevents the state from enforcing the eye exams until at least July 1, 2007, and prohibits further court proceedings until October.

-- Leigh Kelley


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