x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by sc.lmhostediq.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Mon, 2 May 2016 15:59:20 -0400 thread-index: AdGkrR2rBmhg7PSuQaK7RywLR4Zhpg== Thread-Topic: Bill S.1016 -Consumer Protection and Provider Accountability in Eye Care Act From: To: Subject: Bill S.1016 -Consumer Protection and Provider Accountability in Eye Care Act Date: Mon, 2 May 2016 15:59:20 -0400 Message-ID: <0B1351A645C148E7BA4A99DF728D91F5@IQ12> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 02 May 2016 19:59:20.0591 (UTC) FILETIME=[1DC089F0:01D1A4AD] CUSTOM Dr. Janet M Wilson Optometrist Bella Vision 1855 E. Main Street, STE 12 Spartanburg SC 29307 drmonaco@bella-vision.com 843-469-2688 864-308-8812 HEAL Bill S.1016 -Consumer Protection and Provider Accountability in Eye Care Act 24.159.137.174 Dear Honorable Governor Nikki Haley, I am a South Carolina native, University of SC graduate and proud Optometrist. I opened my private Optometric Practice in Spartanburg in 2014. I have known since I was sixteen years old that I wanted to give the gift back that someone gave me as a second grader...and that is the ability to see. The gift of sight to an otherwise extremely nearsighted and awkward child gave me a beautiful talent that I'm able to use daily as a licensed, residency trained optometrist. What I did not understand before entering optometry school, was that vision is more than just about "seeing" 20/20. Yes, acuity is important and measured during an eye exam, but more than that, a licensed optometrist also examines HOW our eyes work together as a team in free space and the HEALTH of ones eyes. Many people who are more prone to eye health problems related to diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol live in more rural areas or who are the ones these online "eye exams" would potentially be marketed to. What type of service would that be to the people of our state to allow them to pay for an "online eye exam" where they are not given what any patient should have, a licensed health professional to hear their complaints, access their condition and provide the appropriate treatment options. At my practice, I also see lots of children who struggle with binocular vision problems such as convergence insufficiency (inability for the eyes to point at the same thing at the same time) and accommodative insufficiency (inability to maintain clear, focused vision for extended lengths). These binocular vision problems mask themselves as ADD/ADHD and can fool parents and teachers into thinking that their child is unable or unwilling to do the work. Convergence insufficiency causes reading to be uncomfortable for extended periods of time, causing headaches and double vision. Without a comprehensive eye examination (that should be required by our state by preschool but is currently not), these vision problems go for years undetected. This can cause a child to fall behind in school, struggle with confidence and delay achievement. The ability to easily read this paragraph I've so thoughtfully written takes little effort for someone with two eyes that work efficiently as a team. What about those individuals who struggle with simple tasks that we take for granted? A staggering 80% of the brain is dedicated to vision and the visual pathways that allow one to see, recognize, register and react to the world around us. Did you know that through a comprehensive eye examination, a licensed optometrist can detect: eyelid disease like basal and squamous cell carcinomas, diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, carotid blockages, cataracts, glaucoma, dry eyes, ulcers, strabismus (eye turns), amblyopia (lazy eye), accommodative dysfunction and insufficiencies, Multiple Sclerosis, Fabry's Disease, rheumatoid arthritis and auto-immune diseases. This is just a FEW of the numerous diagnoses that I see every week in my patients. Please keep in mind, that this is not an exhaustive list of health and vision problems that are not mutually exclusive to the younger population. On the forefront of your mind, please keep in mind that as I have taken the Hippocratic Oath, so should anyone or anything that seeks to provide a person with healthcare or treatment. I have spent YEARS of my life to become a licensed optometrist and we owe that to the great people of South Carolina, to protect them from other entities that are not in our peoples best interest. I have dedicated my entire life to the practice of Optometry, and I'm asking you Governor Haley to please uphold my profession by preventing an online eye exam from taking advantage of the great people of our state. As a leader, we owe more than the convenience of an online eye exam to someone, we owe them our care and our knowledge. Sincerely, Janet Monaco Wilson, OD