A bipartisan bill aimed at improving children’s access to vision care has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act (H.R. 2527) was reintroduced on March 31 by Congressional Vision Caucus cochairs U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Marc Veasey (D-TX). The legislation was originally introduced in May 2024.

Prevent Blindness issued a statement expressing support for the bill and released resources, including the Children’s Vision Health Map and state-specific fact sheets highlighting current vision screening requirements and data from the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health.

Vision disorders in children can often be treated successfully if identified early. However, regulations and resources addressing children’s vision care vary by state, and gaps remain in systems for early detection and follow-up services.

If enacted, the bill would establish the first federally funded program specifically focused on children’s vision and eye health. The legislation proposes that the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services award grants and cooperative agreements to states and communities to strengthen public education, early detection of vision concerns, referrals for eye exams, and follow-up care for children.

The bill also calls for the creation of coordinated public health systems for vision care, the development of data collection and performance improvement systems at the state level, and the promotion of services for children experiencing vision loss. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would provide technical assistance and conduct research to support these efforts.

Companion legislation is expected to be introduced in the U.S. Senate.

According to Prevent Blindness, more than 100 organizations have signed on in support of the legislation. These include professional societies, advocacy groups, and healthcare associations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Optometry, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Optometric Association.

A free webinar, Use Your Voice: Advocacy Strategies for Children’s Vision, hosted by Prevent Blindness and the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health is scheduled for June 4 to offer information on public health advocacy and policy issues related to children’s vision care.