WHEREAS, Amblyopia, which has its onset in childhood, is the most common cause of unilateral vision loss in adults; and
     WHEREAS, Amblyopia affects 2 to 4% of people, or an estimated 160,000 people in Washington State; and
     WHEREAS, Amblyopia is potentially reversible damage in the vision center of the brain resulting in vision loss which is caused most commonly by uncorrected refractive (focusing) errors and eye misalignment in childhood; and
     WHEREAS, Early detection and treatment of amblyopia can restore normal vision; and
     WHEREAS, Treatment to correct the visual loss in amblyopia must occur prior to 8 to 10 years of age; and
     WHEREAS, Detection and treatment of amblyopia in preschool children improves visual outcomes as compared to detection at older ages; and
     WHEREAS, Amblyopia can be detected by screening or examination in preschool children; and
     WHEREAS, Therapy for amblyopia is highly cost-effective compared with many other interventions in health care; and
     WHEREAS, There is strong consensus among eye care and primary care providers, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Practice, the American Academy of Optometry, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association, and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, regarding the importance of screening for amblyopia during preschool years; and
     WHEREAS, Reducing visual impairment in children and increasing the proportion of preschool children who receive vision screening are specific objectives of the current administration's national public health initiative, Healthy People 2010;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend parents in Washington state who have their children screened or examined for amblyopia and vision abnormalities before entering school; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Washington Academy of Pediatrics, the Washington Academy of Family Practice, The Optometric Physicians of Washington, the Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, the Washington State Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Practice, the American Academy of Optometry, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association, and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.