AMA Declared Myopia a Public Health Concern

The association's resolution seeks to reclassify myopia as a disease to improve patient screening and insurance coverage.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Asthma

Isometric editorial illustration of a medical eye-testing lens, representing the formal reclassification of myopia by the American Medical Association. — The American Medical Association officially recognized myopia as a public health concern this month, aiming to expand insurance coverage and pediatric screening standards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should myopia be officially classified as a disease to improve public health outcomes?

The American Medical Association approved a resolution in June 2026 recognizing myopia as a public health concern. The move follows recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to classify the condition as a disease to expand care.

Why it matters

Classifying myopia as a disease aims to improve medical screening in children and encourage CMS to provide insurance coverage for treatments. This is critical as myopia raises the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.

Myopia currently affects 41.6% of the U.S. population, a figure that has nearly doubled since the 1970s. Global projections suggest 50% of the world population will be affected by 2050, with 20% at risk of serious complications.

The players

American Medical Association

The national professional association for physicians and medical students in the United States.

American Academy of Ophthalmology

The world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons which advocates for high-quality eye care.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

A private, non-profit institution that provides expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation.

The details

The resolution, introduced by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, emphasizes the need for public education and improved pediatric screenings. It seeks to formalize the medical status of myopia to address its progression and mitigate long-term ocular health risks.

Myopia prevalence has nearly doubled since the 1970s.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology launched its myopia initiative in 2021.
A National Academies consensus report recommending disease classification was issued in 2024.
The American Medical Association approved the public health resolution in June 2026.
An FDA advisory committee will review low-dose atropine eyedrops in late October 2026.

The Big Picture

This policy change follows the guidance of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2024 consensus report. The move marks a formal shift in medical policy by institutionalizing the classification of myopia as a disease.

This resolution could lead to standardized pediatric screenings and improved insurance coverage for myopia treatments. Patients may see expanded access to clinical interventions as the medical community moves toward a disease-based classification model.

The takeaway

Patients should discuss early vision screening options with their eye care providers given the rising prevalence of nearsightedness. Early identification remains the primary method to mitigate the long-term risk of vision-threatening complications.

What happens next

An FDA advisory committee is scheduled to meet in late October 2026 to discuss the potential for broader approval of low-dose atropine eyedrops to treat myopia.