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Congressional Vision Caucus launched
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A Congressional Vision Caucus, with the aim of supporting vision research and public awareness of vision needs, was launched last week. The caucus was started by American Academy of Ophthalmology, Prevent Blindness America and other organizations dedicated to advancing public eye health.
One goal of the caucus is to obtain federal funding for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy outreach efforts, according to the AAO. The Department of Health and Human Services recently named improved visual health a top federal priority in its Healthy People 2010 report.
Part of the Vision Caucus’ strategy is to identify Congressional members who will support these causes as “friends of ophthalmology,” said H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, executive vice president of the AAO. The caucus currently includes Reps. Gene Green (D-Texas), Patrick Tiberi (R-Ohio), David Price (D-N.C.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.).
The AAO will help to shape the caucus agenda and participate in legislative briefings, according to a press release from the AAO’s governmental affairs office in Washington. On the agenda is securing funding for research in retinal and corneal disease, lens and cataract degeneration, glaucoma, strabismus, amblyopia and visual processing, visual impairments and rehabilitation. Funding for public education is also a priority.