Contact Lens and Child Screening Legislation

Two Eyecare Bills Introduced

Representitives Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced a bill in late May 2003 that amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to recognize and regulate noncorrective (cosmetic) contact lenses as medical devices, as well as their corrective cousins. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, this is the first such bill to be introduced. At press time, however, no date had been set for a vote.

Legislation introduced in Congress last month (HR 2173) by Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) seeks to provide states with resources to improve the eye care of U.S. children by educating parents, increasing follow-up after failed screenings, or helping low-income families afford an eye exam. A study published in the March 2003 issue of the Journal of Optometry indicated that one in seven kindergarten-aged children enter school with an undiagnosed vision problem. Another 10% who pass vision screenings actually do have vision problems.

The legislation represents the first attempt by the federal government to address this problem, with a similar bill expected to be introduced in the Senate soon.

The Vision Council of America (VCA) encourages its members to ask their Congressmen to support HR 2173. For further information, contact Joseph LaMountian of the VCA at (703) 548-4560.