DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 45

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MAY 2023 AS "HEALTHY VISION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, during Healthy Vision Month, the National Eye Institute (NEI) reminds individuals to prioritize eye health and protect their sight; and

WHEREAS, vision impairment and eye disease cost the United States $68 billion annually in direct medical costs, lost productivity, and other direct costs; and

WHEREAS, according to the American Foundation for the Blind, as of 2019, vision impairment affects 18,291 adults and 1,605 children under the age of 18 in Delaware; and

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

WHEREAS, according to the CDC, just 1 out of every 7 preschoolers receive an eye exam, and fewer than 1 out of every 4 receives some type of vision screening; 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 (after cataracts) being the second leading cause of blindness in African Americans, and the glaucoma-related blindness rate for African Americans being six times what it is for others, and half of African-Americans with glaucoma not realizing they have it; 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 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House concurring therein, that May 2023 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 citizens of Delaware are urged to receive periodic eye examinations.

SYNOPSIS

This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes the month of May 2023 as "Healthy Vision Month" in the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator Lawson