Today, Prevent Blindness is pleased to support the introduction of the Glaucoma Vision Act of 2026 by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24). The legislation seeks to close critical gaps in our health care system for the early detection and treatment of glaucoma. In addition to bolstering glaucoma screening coverage across public and private insurance plans for high-risk adults, the legislation makes a critical investment of $10 million across Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028 in community-based glaucoma screening programs and public health surveillance of glaucoma at the Vision Health Initiative within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The bill makes additional investments in glaucoma and optic nerve research through the National Eye Institute (NEI), which could lead to new treatments and therapies for glaucoma.
“The impacts of untreated glaucoma extend beyond the individual, leading to emotional and psychological challenges for patients and their families. Congresswoman Wilson’s legislation addresses this critical public health issue by increasing access to early glaucoma screening and investing in public health and research. Together, these initiatives aim to protect vision, maintain independence, and mitigate the long-term personal and economic effects associated with this silent, irreversible disease.” Karen Allison, MD, MBA, FACS, Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, and Prevent Blindness Board of Directors member, and Prevent Blindness Public Health & Science Committee Co-Chair.
In addition to Prevent Blindness, the legislation is supported by American Academy of Ophthalmology, Foundation Fighting Blindness, American Glaucoma Society, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Alliance for Vision Research, Cornea Society, and the Macula Society. Prevent Blindness encourages the public to send a message of support for the Glaucoma Vision Act of 2026 through the Prevent Blindness Legislative Action Center, urging Congress to pass this bill. For more information, please contact Sara Everett Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs at Prevent Blindness.
