Vision Advocates Urge Patient Access to Ophthalmic Technologies

Members of the House Vision Caucus, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) and AdvaMed called for increased patient access to needed technologies to detect and treat age-related eye disorders at a Capitol Hill exhibition.
Recent research has demonstrated that broad patient access to ophthalmic technologies can improve outcomes and provide long-term healthcare cost savings. "Ensuring greater access to care can significantly impact the projected increase in the prevalence of eye diseases," said AdvaMed Executive Vice President Blair Childs. "Continued advances in ophthalmic technologies are improving patients' quality of life through clearer vision, fewer complications, greater productivity and convenience."

The number of Americans with vision loss is expected to double by 2030 unless more effective prevention and treatment efforts are implemented. Loss of vision is one of the most feared disabilities, yet half of all blindness is preventable. "Age-related eye diseases are taking sight from older Americans in growing numbers, yet much of the vision loss associated with age can be prevented through early detection and treatment," said PBA Senior Vice President Dan Garrett. A recent study co-sponsored by PBA found that many people with vision impairment are not receiving access to care in a timely fashion.