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Prevent Blindness applauds vision health funding in 2018 omnibus spending bill

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Prevent Blindness is lauding the 2018 omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump last week for including increased funding to two CDC vision health programs.

The legislation increases funding for the Vision Health Initiative from $525,000 to $1 million and for the Glaucoma Project from $3.3 million to $4 million.

The Vision Health Initiative works to help states develop and implement effective surveillance systems, deploy evidence-based, cost-effective public health interventions, and reduce health disparities among those at high risk for vision loss, while the Glaucoma Project aims to improve screening for glaucoma, referrals and treatment in areas lacking access to glaucoma care, according to a Prevent Blindness press release.

“Vision loss is often preventable, but without the necessary funding to better understand eye conditions, treatment options and development of public health systems and infrastructure to disseminate good science and prevention strategies, millions of Americans face significant threats to their independence, health and economic livelihoods,” the release said.