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CHP+ REMINDS PARENTS TO LOOK FOR VISION PROBLEMS

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Contributed by: Tammy Stratton on 8/15/2008

Summer is coming to an end and children across Colorado will be starting a challenging and fun-filled school year. No child wants to miss out on all the excitement because they can't read the board or follow along when reading aloud. According to Prevent Blindness America, one in 20 preschoolers and one in four school-age children have vision problems. In addition, there are about 42,000 sports related eye injuries each year and most of them happen to children. Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) can help keep kids eyes healthy and focused on the fun ahead.

"August is children's eye health and safety month, and as kids head back to school it is the perfect time to get their eyes checked," said Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien. "CHP+ is a low-cost resource for parents, providing kids with access to health and vision care."

CHP+ is the State's free or low-cost health and dental insurance program for uninsured Colorado children ages 18 and under whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance. CHP+ pays for many health services for children including physicals, immunizations (shots), medications, well-child check ups, vision, dental and hearing care, behavioral care, visits to the emergency room and doctor visits. CHP+ vision benefits include coverage of vision screenings, money toward eyeglasses and referrals for refraction services. CHP+ also offers comprehensive health care benefits, including vision care, to pregnant women through the CHP+ Prenatal Care Program. With the CHP+ Prenatal Care Program, prenatal care visits are free.

According to Prevent Blindness America there are many signs of possible eye problems in children. If one or more of these signs appear, be sure to take your child to an eye doctor right away. And remember, children may still have eye problems even if they do not show any unusual signs or complain, so be sure to have their eyes checked on a routine basis.

What do your child's eyes look like?
• Eyes don't line up, one eye appears crossed or looks out
• Eyelids are red-rimmed, crusted or swollen
• Eyes are watery or red (inflamed)

How does your child act?
• Rubs eyes a lot
• Closes or covers one eye
• Tilts head or thrusts head forward
• Has trouble reading or doing other close-up work, or holds objects close to eyes to see
• Blinks more than usual or seems cranky when doing close-up work
• Things are blurry or hard to see
• Squints eyes or frowns

What does your child say?
• "My eyes are itchy," "my eyes are burning," "my eyes feel scratchy," or "I can't see very well"
• After doing close-up work, your child says "I feel dizzy," "I have a headache" or "I feel sick/nauseous"
• "Everything looks blurry," or "I see double"

Help keep Colorado kids healthy and seeing their way to a bright future! For more information in English and Spanish about CHP+ eligibility or to get an application visit www.CHPplus.org. Families can also call toll free at
1-800-359-1991.
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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Tammy Stratton

Denver , CO

Tammy Stratton has posted 445 stories and 0 comments since joining on 4/21/2008. Tammy Stratton 's average story rating is 1.5.

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