Welcome to HCAPS's Myopia Week of Action!

Get ready to take action! This week (August 24–30, 2026), HCAPS is holding its official Myopia Week of Action with multiple ways you can get involved, influence lawmakers, and make a difference in your community. HCAPS’s Myopia Week of Action aims to increase awareness about the growing prevalence of myopia and to highlight the importance of early detection and annual comprehensive eye exams for effective disease management.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision disorder that is rapidly increasing in prevalence among children. It is a serious eye health issue that can increase the risk of vision-threatening conditions later in life. An estimated 41.6% of Americans are nearsighted, according to the National Eye Institute, and the condition affects a growing share of school-aged children and adolescents, particularly as children spend more time on screens and less time outdoors.

This year, our work continues as we:

  • Urge Congress to pass the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act, H.R. 2527;

  • Build on our recent meeting with the Office of the Surgeon General on the harms of excessive screen time in children;

  • Share educational resources with parents and educators;

  • Contact Congressional staff encouraging them to support the EDVI Act; and

  • Highlight a new press release.

But we need your help!

Join advocates from all over the country to make your voice heard. See below for a few quick and easy ways you can make a difference.

Here are several ways to get involved during this week of action: 

Urge Your Member of Congress to Support the EDVI Act

During this Myopia Week of Action, the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety is urging Congress to pass the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act, H.R. 2527. If passed, the bill would:

  • Expand state-based early detection systems for pediatric vision disorders

  • Connect children to licensed eye care professionals for clinical diagnosis and treatment

  • Prioritize access for rural, underserved, and vulnerable communities

  • Create data collection systems to track follow-up care and identify gaps in service

We encourage you to join us by sending a letter to your lawmakers with just the click of a button here.

Read Our Press Release

HCAPS is spreading the word on the importance of early detection and what advocates can do to help. Read our press release and op-ed and share it with your network!

Read the Op-Eds and Press Release

Share Your Story

Share your story of how myopia has affected you or a patient so that we can show lawmakers the importance of taking the myopia epidemic seriously.

Share your story on the impacts of myopia 

 

Follow Us On Social Media

The best way to stay up-to-date on the things impacting patient safety, myopia, and the doctor-patient relationship is by following us on social media. We encourage you to share our message with your networks and engage with us across all three of our social media platforms.

LinkedIn Instagram X/Twitter

 

Recruit Your Peers and Colleagues

Everyone can make a difference in the fight against myopia. We need as many voices as we can get to influence lawmakers and educate the general public about the impacts of myopia.

Join us in advancing policies that support quality care, vision health, and the essential relationship between doctors and patients. Sign up for HCAPS here!