Senate Resolution by Senator Berman designates August 2026 as Amblyopia Awareness Month in Florida, highlighting the critical importance of early detection and treatment of amblyopia, the leading cause of vision loss in children. The resolution emphasizes that if amblyopia and other vision-threatening disorders, such as retinoblastoma tumors, cataracts, and strabismus, are identified before a child reaches the age of five, the chances of successful treatment significantly increase. It points out that many forms of amblyopia are challenging to detect without proper screening techniques, and that millions of children in the U.S. suffer from permanent vision loss due to undiagnosed conditions that could have been treated effectively.

The resolution also notes that currently, less than 20 percent of preschool children are screened for vision problems, despite such screenings being covered by many health insurance plans. It calls for increased awareness and encourages parents to have their children screened for vision issues before entering preschool. The Florida Society of Ophthalmology and the For Eye Care Foundation, Inc. support the initiative to promote statewide preschool vision screening, aiming to test all children aged 3 to 5 years.