Healthy Vision Month

Proclamation

By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, children’s ability to learn and enjoy the world around them becomes more difficult without good vision; and

WHEREAS, untreated eye problems in children can worsen and cause other serious problems impacting their ability to learn and properly develop; and

WHEREAS, , untreated eye problems such as amblyopia, are very serious and can lead to the loss of vision if not detected and treated early in life; and

WHEREAS, because many eye problems begin at an early age and may be more effectively treated early on, it is important for all children to receive proper eye care; and

WHEREAS, vision problems affect twenty five present of school aged children and five percent of preschool children; and

WHEREAS, the best way to detect vision problems at the earliest, most treatable states, is through comprehensive dilated eye exam; and

WHEREAS, these comprehensive dilated eye exams can detect eye diseases and conditions before vision loss occurs; and

WHEREAS, all parents and guardians are encouraged to schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam for their child before they enter kindergarten; and

WHEREAS, the month of May is designated across the nation as a Healthy Vision Month in order to elevate vision as a health priority for the nation; and

WHEREAS, Hayley Barber, serving as an advocate, will be traveling the state in May to promote and raise aareness of the importance of improving access to children’s eye care:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim May 2016, as

Healthy Vision Month

in the State of Alabama and urge all citizens to help raise awareness about the importance of improving access to children’s eye care..

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 1^st day of February 2016.

Robert Bentley
Governor