The AMA is backing insurance coverage for myopia treatment in children and teens, calling it a major public health concern. The organization's House of Delegates adopted a resolution urging CMS to formally classify myopia as a disease and ensure reimbursement for evidence-based treatments. With global myopia rates projected to hit 50% by 2050, the stakes couldn't be higher.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has officially adopted a resolution calling for comprehensive insurance coverage of myopia treatments in pediatric and adolescent patients. The resolution, passed by the AMA's House of Delegates in June, also urges CMS to formally classify myopia as a disease — a move that could reshape how the condition is managed and reimbursed across the U.S.
The push comes as the FDA continues to approve new options for slowing myopia progression, including specialized spectacle and contact lenses. Medical leaders from the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology have both welcomed the resolution, noting that unchecked myopia progression raises the long-term risk of serious complications like retinal detachments and macular degeneration. A related bill — the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act — is also under consideration in the House, which would fund state and community vision screening programs.
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Why it matters: Classifying myopia as a disease and mandating insurance coverage could dramatically expand access to evidence-based treatments for millions of children, potentially preventing serious vision loss down the line.
