Bill Text: VA HJR108 | 2020 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Year of the Eye Exam.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-03 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ108ER) [HJR108 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HJR108-Prefiled.html
WHEREAS, the American Optometric Association reports that up to 16 million Americans struggle with undiagnosed or untreated vision impairments and that eye diseases, vision loss, and eye disorders create an estimated $139 billion economic burden; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive eye exams serve a vital function in preventive medicine, maintenance of quality vision acuity, and eye health; and
WHEREAS, eye exams can serve as early indicators for a number of underlying health conditions and life-threatening diseases while providing insight into important markers of overall health; and
WHEREAS, doctors of optometry encourage an annual comprehensive eye exam to help patients protect their vision and ensure early diagnosis and treatment of visual system diseases like glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness; and
WHEREAS, more than half of all doctors of optometry in Virginia are members of the Virginia Optometric Association, with members practicing in every region of the Commonwealth; the association is committed to educating and informing policymakers, the news media, and the public about essential eye health and vision care; and
WHEREAS, as part of a comprehensive eye exam, visual acuity is rated on a fractional scale that expresses the distance at which an individual can read certain size letters, with 20/20 representing normal, healthy vision; and
WHEREAS, the year 2020 provides a one-time opportunity to emphasize the importance of eye health and encourage Virginians to take care of their vision and health by making an appointment for an in-person, comprehensive eye exam; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate 2020 as The Year of the Eye Exam in Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Virginia Optometric Association so that members of the association may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it
RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this year on the General Assembly's website.
