Urgent: Vision and Eye Health Programs at Risk – Take Action Now

Written By Sarah Kopac

The Trump Administration has released its Fiscal Year 2026 budget request to Congress for programs under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This proposed budget includes devastating cuts—eliminating the CDC’s Vision Health Initiative and slashing the CDC budget by 45%. If passed, this would dismantle crucial programs that track, prevent, and treat vision loss and eye disease across the country. 

What’s at stake:

  • The Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS) would likely no longer exist.

  • Tracking of glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, and other conditions would likely stop.

  • Community grants for glaucoma detection and treatment would end.

  • Education on the link between chronic diseases and vision loss would disappear.

  • Critical research and innovation through the National Eye Institute would face drastic reductions.

  • Progress made through community health centers and FQHCs would be rolled back by decades.

With rates of vision loss expected to double by 2050, we cannot afford to lose ground now. 

Act now to protect our national vision and eye health—visit  the Prevent Blindness Action Center to learn more. Your voice matters - let's make it heard!

Sarah Kopac
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