Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety calls on advocates to support the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act as part of week-long awareness campaign.
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (HCAPS) today announced its 2026 Myopia Week of Action, taking place August 24-30. The week-long campaign aims to raise awareness of the growing prevalence of myopia in children and to highlight the role of comprehensive eye exams and early detection in preventing long-term vision complications.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is one of the most common eye conditions among children and its prevalence is growing. 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. Left unmanaged, myopia can increase a child's risk of more serious, vision-threatening conditions later in life.
As part of this year's Week of Action, HCAPS is urging its advocates to voice support for the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act (H.R. 2527), bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Marc Veasey (D-TX). If passed, the bill would strengthen state-based early detection systems and expand access to clinical vision screenings from licensed eye care professionals, helping to ensure children with myopia and other vision conditions are identified and treated before problems progress.
This year's Week of Action also builds on a recent HCAPS engagement at the federal level. On August 5, HCAPS met with the Office of the Surgeon General. The discussion centered on the office's May 2026 advisory on the harms of screen use in children which identifies myopia as one of the physical health risks associated with excessive screen time, particularly among children with limited time outdoors.
HCAPS has advocated for greater myopia awareness and education since its founding in 2018, and views conversations like this one as an important way to keep myopia prevention part of the national health conversation.
“Early detection of vision problems can make a meaningful difference in a child’s health, learning, and development. HCAPS’s Myopia Week of Action is a reminder that an annual comprehensive eye exam can be the difference between a child who struggles quietly in the classroom and one who thrives. We're asking our advocates to raise their voices this week and urge Congress to pass the EDVI Act, so that early detection isn't left to chance," said Madison Lamp, Director, Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety.
Throughout the week, HCAPS and its Partners, Johnson & Johnson Vision, CooperVision, EssilorLuxottica, and the American Optometric Association are inviting advocates, parents, doctors of optometry, and members of the public to visit our activation page to:
- Voice Your Support: Send a letter urging members of Congress to support the EDVI Act.
- Share Your Story: Tell HCAPS how myopia has affected you, your family, or your patients.
- Access Resources: Download educational materials and shareable graphics for use on personal and practice social channels.
HCAPS encourages parents to schedule annual comprehensive eye exams for their children and to support healthy visual habits, such as taking regular breaks from close-up screen work and spending time outdoors. These are critical steps that can help protect children's long-term eye health.
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About the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (HCAPS):
The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety is an alliance formed of health care providers, industry leaders, and patient advocates working to advance high standards of care, protect the doctor–patient relationship, and ensure patient safety in the use of medical devices. HCAPS is supported by its Partners: Johnson & Johnson Vision, CooperVision, EssilorLuxottica, and the American Optometric Association.
Contact: Madison Lamp Director, Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (HCAPS) [email protected] | 571-839-0493