AOA FOCUS logo

National advocacy priority: Protecting children’s vision and eye health

September 15, 2026

HCAPS representatives call on legislators to support Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act.

Tag(s): Advocacy, Patient Protection

Members of Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety briefing congressional leader


Key Takeaways

  • The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (HCAPS) briefed Congressional leaders on Sept. 15 on myopia prevalence and protecting children’s vision and eye health. 
  • A groundbreaking 2024 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine consensus report on myopia and its key findings were discussed. 
  • Uneven awareness of children’s eye health is one of the most significant barriers to children receiving appropriate vision care, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has an important role in ensuring children receive timely vision screening and appropriate referrals for comprehensive eye examinations. 
  • Speakers connected the scientific findings to a practical federal policy opportunity: the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act. 

This content is available to AOA members only

Already a member? Log in here.