FL S1358

Requires physicians and midwives to instill prophylactic eye drops within 1 hour of birth to prevent neonatal ophthalmia, using medication recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Mandates that all infants born in Florida hospitals receive an eye examination using an ophthalmoscope and pupil dilation before discharge to detect congenital and ocular abnormalities.

Requires health insurance policies and HMO contracts to cover eye examinations for children at birth, 6-8 weeks of age, and 6-9 months of age using ophthalmoscope and pupil dilation.

Allows parents to decline these eye care measures by filing written objections on religious grounds, with documentation required in the medical record.

Limits penalties for non-compliance with prophylactic requirements to violations of the eye drop instillation and related procedures, rather than all infant eye care requirements.