RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MAY 2025 AS "HEALTHY VISION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Lawson & Rep. Hilovsky

Sens. Hansen, Huxtable, Mantzavinos, Pettyjohn, Sokola, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Bush, Carson, K. Johnson, Morrison, Romer, Yearick

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 62

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MAY 2025 AS "HEALTHY VISION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, during Healthy Vision Month, the National Eye Institute (NEI) reminds individual to prioritize eye

health and protect their sight; and

WHEREAS, vision impairment and eye disease cost the United States $134.2 billion annually, including an estimated $98.7 billion in direct costs and $35.5 billion in indirect costs, according to the National Institute of Health; and

WHEREAS, according to the 2023 American Community Survey (ACS), vision impairment affects 20,757 adults and 1,882 children under the age of 18 in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Survey reports that in 2024, 10% of people aged 16-64 with vision difficulty were unemployed, compared with just 4% of people age 16-64 without vision difficulty; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 ACS reported that approximately 625,000 children in the United States have vision difficulties, and around 11 million Americans over age 12 need vision correction; and

WHEREAS, children’s vision screening is recommended at birth; and

WHEREAS, according to the CDC, less than half of preschoolers have had their vision tested to check for common eye diseases; and

WHEREAS, parents, teachers, and caregivers should monitor children carefully and make an appointment with an eye physician at the first signs of vision problems; and

WHEREAS, serious vision issues disproportionately affect people of color, with glaucoma, second only to cataracts, being the leading cause of blindness among African Americans; African Americans are six times more likely than others to experience glaucoma-related blindness, and half of those affected do not realize they have the condition; and

WHEREAS, regular dilated eye exams can detect eye disease and vision problems in the early stages when they are easiest to treat; and

WHEREAS, children from families with lower incomes and children who lack health insurance are more likely to go without needed eyeglasses; and

WHEREAS, children with poor vision can have difficulty participating in class, suffer from low self-esteem, and receive low grades; and

WHEREAS, research has documented eye glasses for school students help improve academic achievement.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that May 2025 is recognized as “Healthy Vision Month” in the State of Delaware and all citizens of Delaware are urged to recognize this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Delawareans are urged to receive periodic eye examinations.

SYNOPSIS

This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes the month of May 2025 as "Healthy Vision Month" in the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator Lawson