HR 297 — A Resolution designating the week of October 5 through 11, 2025, as "Healthy Vision Week" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.    2234

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 297
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY SAPPEY, VENKAT, FREEMAN, HOHENSTEIN, CONKLIN,
        M. MACKENZIE, HOWARD, NEILSON, HADDOCK, SANCHEZ, GALLAGHER,
        COOPER AND RIVERA, AUGUST 20, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, AUGUST 21, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Designating the week of October 5 through 11, 2025, as "Healthy
 2      Vision Week" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, Prevention of eye issues and disorders is a key
 4   health concern, yet the severity of developing myopia and other
 5   vision-related problems is not realized by many individuals in
 6   Pennsylvania; and
 7      WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
 8   Prevention (CDC), nearly 12 million people 40 years of age or
 9   older have vision impairments, with 4.2 million Americans having
10   uncorrectable vision impairments, a number which is expected to
11   double by 2050; and
12      WHEREAS, The CDC also estimates that 93 million adults in the
13   United States are at high risk for severe vision loss, and only
14   half of these individuals have consulted an eye doctor in the
15   past year; and
16      WHEREAS, Nearly 80% of high school students do not sleep for
17   a medically recommended eight hours every night, which can lead
 1   to eye strain, dry eye and myokymia; and
 2      WHEREAS, By 2050, it is estimated that myopia, also known as
 3   nearsightedness, will increase to affect 50% of the world
 4   population, with the condition increasing susceptibility to
 5   glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment; and
 6      WHEREAS, Approximately 30% of the world has developed some
 7   degree of myopia, with 42% of the United States population
 8   having myopia; and
 9      WHEREAS, The average American teenager spends over eight
10   hours per day looking at screen media, which has increased by
11   nearly two hours from 2015 to 2021; and
12      WHEREAS, Exposure to blue lights from screens can lead to
13   increased eye strain or irritation, phototoxicity, macular
14   degeneration and melatonin dysregulation if viewed right before
15   sleeping, especially amongst developing children; and
16      WHEREAS, As screen usage increases in the learning
17   environment and at home, it is imperative to provide early
18   education and awareness to children and families regarding safe
19   eye practices, how to identify early myopia and proper eyesight
20   nutrition; and
21      WHEREAS, Every individual can benefit from learning more
22   about the risks of blue light and insomnia on eyesight, as well
23   as how important early prevention through screenings and proper
24   eye health can be; and
25      WHEREAS, It is crucial to promote the protection of eyesight
26   and to raise awareness regarding eye nutrition and developing
27   myopia in children; therefore be it
28      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
29   week of October 5 through 11, 2025, as "Healthy Vision Week" in
30   Pennsylvania.

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