HR 428 — A Resolution recognizing April 25, 2026, as "Diabetic Eye Screening Day" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.    2978

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 428
                                              Session of
                                                2026

     INTRODUCED BY T. DAVIS, ISAACSON, GUENST, VENKAT, HILL-EVANS,
        KHAN, SANCHEZ, JAMES, SAMUELSON, FREEMAN, McNEILL, GUZMAN,
        RIVERA, NEILSON, SHUSTERMAN, MALAGARI, PARKER, ABNEY,
        GALLAGHER, PASHINSKI, DOUGHERTY AND DELLOSO, MARCH 10, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 10, 2026


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing April 25, 2026, as "Diabetic Eye Screening Day" in
 2      Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes
 4   that damages the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back
 5   of the eye; and
 6      WHEREAS, Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of
 7   blindness in people with diabetes and among all working-age
 8   Americans; and
 9      WHEREAS, In 2021, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in
10   the United States was more than 26% of people with diabetes,
11   affecting 9.6 million people in the country; and
12      WHEREAS, Over time, high blood sugar levels damage the
13   retina, causing them to leak fluid and blood and grow new,
14   abnormal blood vessels which create scar tissue formation; and
15      WHEREAS, In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may not
16   cause any visual symptoms, meaning those who suffer from it may
17   not be aware of it until irreversible damage has been done to
 1   the eye; and
 2         WHEREAS, With early detection and proper treatment, it is
 3   possible for those with diabetic retinopathy to retain their
 4   vision; and
 5         WHEREAS, There are multiple treatment options available to
 6   people with diabetic retinopathy to prevent further vision loss;
 7   and
 8         WHEREAS, The primary way diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed is
 9   through a diabetic eye evaluation; and
10         WHEREAS, In order to combat lack of access to eye exams,
11   ophthalmologists and optometrists across this Commonwealth are
12   hosting free or low-cost diabetic eye screenings on April 25,
13   2026; and
14         WHEREAS, Participating organizations include Geisinger,
15   Nazareth, Penn State, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at
16   Drexel University, Temple University Ophthalmology, UPMC,
17   University of Pennsylvania Scheie Eye, Wills Eye Hospital and
18   St. Lukes's; and
19         WHEREAS, Surrounding states, including Delaware and Maryland,
20   are joining the Commonwealth in these efforts; and
21         WHEREAS, Ophthalmologists and optometrists are hosting these
22   free or low-cost screenings to raise awareness regarding the
23   importance of regular diabetic eye evaluations; therefore be it
24         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize April
25   25, 2026, as "Diabetic Eye Screening Day" in Pennsylvania.




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