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Optometry’s expertise on pediatric heath and screentime dangers featured in U.S. Surgeon General’s policymaking symposium
Optometry’s expertise on pediatric health and screen time dangers featured in U.S. Surgeon General’s policymaking symposium
September 8, 2026
Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety Chair and Past AOA President David Cockrell, O.D., joined federal health leaders at a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services symposium examining the impact of screen use on children, ensuring myopia, early detection and children’s eye health were front and center in national conversation.
Tag(s): Advocacy, Federal Advocacy
Key Takeaways
- The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (HCAPS) Chair David Cockrell, O.D., represented children’s vision and eye health during the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Sept. 1 Live Real Life Symposium on the harms of excessive screen use in children.
- Dr. Cockrell brought myopia into the federal discussion, highlighting evidence showing how changes in children's visual environments, including increased near work and reduced outdoor time, can contribute to the growing public health challenge.
- HCAPS is advocating for action beyond awareness, including earlier identification of childhood vision problems and support for the bipartisan Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act (H.R. 2527).
- Healthier visual environments, more time outdoors, early detection and appropriate eye care are crucial to protecting children’s vision, with doctors, educators, parents and policymakers all having a role to play.
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