EDVI Act & Vision Health: Prevent Blindness Support
- Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Marc Veasey, D-Texas, have reintroduced the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act, signaling a renewed push to improve children's...
- The Early Detection of Vision impairments for Children (EDVI) Act, if enacted, would allocate federal grants via the Health Resources and Services Administration at HHS.
- Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y.,and Janelle Bynum,D-Ore., recently co-sponsored the legislation.
The Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act is back! This bipartisan bill, spearheaded by Representatives Bilirakis and Veasey, aims to boost children’s vision care across the U.S. The proposed legislation seeks to allocate federal grants for early vision screenings and coordinated care and presently has the support of over 100 organizations. The EDVI Act could address the gaps in care access, particularly for underserved populations, and has the backing of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Prevent Blindness stresses that early detection can prevent eye disorders and that the U.S. needs dedicated federal programs for kids’ vision. News Directory 3 will report on developments as companion legislation is anticipated in the Senate soon. Discover what’s next as the bill moves through Congress.
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Improve Children’s Vision Care
Updated June 11, 2025
Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Marc Veasey, D-Texas, have reintroduced the Early Detection of Vision
Impairments for Children Act, signaling a renewed push to improve children’s access to eye care. Prevent
Blindness issued a press release detailing the bill.
The Early Detection of Vision impairments for Children (EDVI) Act, if enacted, would allocate federal grants
via the Health Resources and Services Administration at HHS. These funds would support accessible vision
screenings and coordinated care.States and communities could use the grants to implement early detection
programs, enhance educational resources, and refine data collection methods for children’s vision concerns. The
CDC would offer technical assistance and research-backed guidance.
Prevent Blindness notes that improved early detection can lower the risk of eye disorders like amblyopia and
myopia. Image: Adobe stock
Reps. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y.,and Janelle Bynum,D-Ore., recently co-sponsored the legislation.
sara D. brown, senior director of government affairs at Prevent Blindness, told Healio that Reps. Veasey and
Bilirakis reintroduced the bill because they recognize the notable impact of undetected vision problems on a
child’s learning and social-emotional advancement. She applauded their bipartisan leadership as co-chairs of the
congressional Vision Caucus, adding that this step is necessary to advance the bill in Congress.
Despite the prevalence of vision problems in children, the U.S. lacks federally funded programs primarily
focused on children’s eye care, according to Prevent Blindness. Current guidelines, managed by individual
states, often lack standardized referral and documentation processes, creating gaps in care access for
underserved populations. The Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act seeks to address these
shortcomings.
“We know that early detection of vision problems, and access to eye care and treatment, is the best way to
prevent vision loss, especially for children,” Brown said. “Vision impairment can have negative impacts on
learning,academic performance and so much more.”
According to Prevent Blindness, improving early detection rates and access to care can also reduce the risk of
eye disorders like amblyopia, strabismus, myopia, and hyperopia.
The EDVI Act,initially introduced in May 2024 and reintroduced on March 31,2025,has garnered significant
support.Brown noted that the original proposal had backing from over 18 groups, and now boasts support from
more than 100 organizations, including the American Academy of Optometry and the American Academy of
Ophthalmology.Companion legislation is anticipated in the Senate soon.
“This bipartisan bill was created to bring all sides together, including vision health groups and political
parties, with a common goal of ensuring that our children have the best chance to experience the benefits of a
lifetime of healthy vision,” Brown said. “With tremendous leadership from rep. Bilirakis and Rep. Veasey, and
support from Rep. Garbarino and Rep. Bynum, we’re working together to have these types of programs
available to families across the country that help children achieve their full potential through healthy
vision.”
What’s next
The bill will now go through the legislative process, including committee review and potential votes in the House
and Senate. Supporters hope to see the bill passed and signed into law to improve children’s vision health
nationwide.