U.S. federal action on childhood vision is gaining steam…ECPs may want to watch this space.
Childhood vision health in the United States may be on the verge of its biggest pivot yet. Members of The Myopia Collective recently met with lawmakers, urging support for the Early Detection Vision Impairments (EDVI) for Children Act of 2025 (H.R. 2527). The bill proposes the first federally funded program devoted specifically to children’s eye care in an attempt to address the longstanding gaps in pediatric vision screening.
During the two-day Capitol Hill visit, representatives from The Myopia Collective—a joint initiative between the American Optometric Association (AOA) and CooperVision (California, USA)—underscored the urgency of nationwide early-detection standards. They emphasized that state-by-state screening guidelines are fragmented and insufficient, allowing too many children to go undiagnosed until academic struggles or parental concern finally lead to clinical evaluation.
“Addressing the gap in vision care for our next generation requires all of us advocating and educating,” said AOA President Dr. Jacquie Brown in a news release. “The Myopia Collective participants and their initiatives are a key part of the solution. By connecting with legislators about the critical challenges myopia poses and the solutions doctors of optometry and our partners are at the ready to provide, we are making strong and lasting impact.”
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Importance of federal action
If enacted, the EDVI Act would represent a landmark federal investment aimed at identifying and managing childhood vision disorders. Advocates noted that a nationwide framework is long overdue. One in five preschoolers and one in four school-age children currently need vision correction, and projections suggest that by 2030 half of North America could be myopic.* Because onset often begins in the elementary years, delayed myopia detection increases the risk of progression and more serious complications later in life.
The bill’s current language gives states discretion in how federal funds are used. They may reinforce existing initiatives, launch new school-based screening programs, or integrate more comprehensive diagnostic protocols into their education systems.
“We’re on the cusp of redefining children’s vision care in the U.S,” said Dr. Jennifer Palombi, director of Professional Education & Development, Americas at CooperVision. “If passed, the EDVI Act will help build a future where early detection and intervention are the norm, not the exception. That’s the future The Myopia Collective is advocating for, and one that will change countless lives.”
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Clinicians bring insights to Congress
Dr. Shane Foster, a Change Agent from Ohio, highlighted the uneven national landscape in children’s vision health. Some states require comprehensive eye examinations before kindergarten entry, while others offer little to no guidance.
“I hope [the funding] will be used to enact uniform standards across the country,” he said. “Let’s make sure every child in the U.S. has an equal opportunity for eye care and to have their vision disorders detected so they can read, learn and succeed.”
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Other Change Agents, including Dr. Caitlyn McHugh-Glab, stressed that lawmakers often underestimate how easily children overlook or fail to communicate visual difficulties. Without standardized screenings, early-stage myopia frequently goes unnoticed until academic performance begins to suffer.
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“In-school dental programs, such as dental sealant programs, are a proof of concept for how in-school health initiatives can help children succeed. Dental care is looked at as a gold standard in childhood, yet vision care is often overlooked,” Dr. Foster added. “For some reason, people don’t see the link between vision and learning, but if kids can’t see to read, they can’t move forward.”
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The takeaway
If passed, the EDVI Act of 2025 could reshape childhood myopia care in the U.S., expanding early detection and improving access to timely treatment. Eye care professionals will likely watch the bill with close interest, as federal support may redefine screening pathways, broaden access, and elevate pediatric vision health to the same status as other longstanding early-childhood health programs.
For now, The Myopia Collective’s visit to Capitol Hill signals a new phase in the national conversation—one that may finally align U.S. policy with the growing urgency of children’s eye health.
*Evidence-Based Optometry Committee. Clinical Report: Myopia Management. American Optometric Association. 2021. Available at: https://aoa.uberflip.com/i/1388672-ebo-myopia-clinical-report-no-spread/1. Accessed on November 27, 2025.
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