Improving U.S. Eye Health Imperative to Overall Health

(ALEXANDRIA, VA) – Eye diseases, vision loss, and eye disorders create an estimated $139 billion economic burden in the U.S.1 and millions of Americans suffer from untreated or undiagnosed vision impairments.2 Yet eye health and vision care are not priorities in the national health agenda. The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety, launched today, will work to fill the gap, advocating for solutions to advance patient eye health, vision care, and safety and to elevate the doctor-patient relationship – the essential foundation of health care decision making.

Advancing policy and collaboration between leading health care advocates, innovators, and treatment specialists is essential to push patient eye health care and vision protection forward. The Alliance for Patient Safety will build on important eye health and technological advancements, and work with patients, policy makers, and regulators to deliver transparent and factual information regarding eye health products, procedures, technology, and safety.

“The Alliance for Patient Safety exists to advance patient eye health and provide patients with the latest credible information to improve and safeguard eye health,” said Deanna Alexander, O.D., Chair of the Alliance for Patient Safety. “We will set out to ensure patient eye health and safety are at the center of the nation’s health care agenda and to advance patient health through education, empowerment, and the preservation of the doctor-patient relationship as the absolute foundation of sound health care decision making.”

The Alliance for Patient Safety is a policy advancement and information collaboration between leading eye health advocates, innovators, and trusted voices from the eye health community, all united by a commitment to ensuring quality care and improved patient outcomes. Through advocacy and education initiatives, the Alliance for Patient Safety:

  • Supports laws, regulations, increased enforcement, and other public policy solutions designed to safeguard public health
  • Heightens awareness to patients, legislators, and regulators of the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and existing and potential threats to patients’ eye health and safety

The American Optometric Association (AOA) and Johnson & Johnson Vision joined the Alliance as Leadership and Charter members with CooperVision, Inc. joining as an Associate and Charter member.

To become a local advocate or to get involved in protecting patient safety, visit www.patientsafetytoday.com.

 

About the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety

The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety, founded in 2018, advocates for eye health and safety and elevates the doctor-patient relationship – the essential foundation of personal health care decision making.

Members of the Alliance for Patient Safety work together to raise awareness and protect public health. Advancing policy and collaboration between leading eye health advocates, vision innovators and trusted voices is essential to elevate patient care.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: [email protected]

Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety to Advance Patient Eye Health Through Education and Advocacy for Innovation, Access, and Individualized Care

  1. National Eye Institute, Eye Disease Statistics, 2014.
  2. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Making Eye Health A Population Health Imperative:
    Vision for Tomorrow, 2016.