Florida and 30 other states require students in public school to get a vision screening. Of those, the vast majority—including Florida—don’t require that youngsters who fail receive further treatment. A new bill co-sponsored by U.S. Representative Connie Mack – of Cape Coral—seeks to address that issue in Florida and around the country. Mack stopped in Fort Myers today/Monday to announce the legislation – and encourage parents to monitor their children’s eyesight. He says an undiagnosed vision problem as a youngster made his academic career an uphill battle… and that he struggles even today.

“Those first couple years really do make a difference. I struggle today with my writing and with my grammar – and it’s because of missing those early years, those building blocks that you need so you can have a good long successful education process.”

The legislation would provide money to school districts for eye exams for kids who’ve failed initial vision screenings – but whose families don’t have the means to get them full exams. Lee County Schools Superintendent – Dr. Jim Browder – says Mack’s vision on this issue is crystal clear.

“His ability to if you will, see the future, is critical. And I believe that what he’s doing will allow all youngsters throughout the United States to come to school with an equal opportunity to learn because they can see clearly what they need to be able to see to be successful.”

Representative Mack says it’s still early in the legislative process – and that there’s still a lot of work left to get it passed.