Welcome to the May 2021 edition of the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (APS)’s monthly newsletter!

Healthy Vision Month

May is Healthy Vision Month, a great reminder that eye health and overall health are connected, especially as many chose or were forced to forego important annual eye exams due to the pandemic in 2020. Throughout the month, APS has shared tips on social media from the National Eye Institute and the CDC on steps people can take to make eye health a priority. 

We will continue to provide information to optometrists and patients on how we can all better protect our eye health. Make sure you get the latest by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Protecting Children's Vision

In March, the American Optometric Association hosted its Emergency Children’s Vision Summit to bring attention to the growing issue of childhood myopia. The pandemic has led to an increase in various vision conditions in children, making it critical that we address how we can strengthen children’s vision. The AOA recently published key takeaways from the Summit, including answers from APS advocate Lori L. Grover. O.D., Ph.D.

Have you seen an increase in childhood myopia in your practice, or do you have more questions about protecting children’s vision? Reply to this email to let us know.

AOA On Capitol Hill

Virtual AOA on Capitol Hill is less than a week away! From May 23-25, optometry’s single-largest annual advocacy event will draw a virtual crowd of eye health professionals from around the country. Doctors, optometry students, and other paraoptometric staff, APS advocates among them, will discuss policy proposals to continue strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and protecting patient safety. 

We look forward to sharing the results of our advocacy efforts.

Thank you for continuing to help us advocate for patient safety. We look forward to engaging on the issues that matter most.