H.R. 10476 — Glaucoma Vision Act of 2026

This section finds that 4.22 million people in the United States had glaucoma in 2022, with 1.49 million experiencing vision loss and roughly half undiagnosed, and projects growth to 6.3 million cases by 2050. It states that Medicare Part B covers annual glaucoma screening for high-risk individuals age 40 and older with diabetes, family history, or African, Hispanic, or Asian ancestry, while Medicaid, private group plans, and FEHB plans lack uniform federal coverage requirements.

This section requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover glaucoma screenings without cost sharing for specified individuals, defined as those age 40 or older who identify as having African, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian ancestry or have clinical risk factors, and those age 60 or older. It applies the same requirement to Medicare, Medicaid, and Federal Employees Health Benefits plans, effective for plan years and items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.

This section expands the glaucoma detection and prevention program by directing the CDC Director, through the Vision Health Initiative, to award competitive grants to states, territories, local health departments, community health centers, academic medical centers, and nonprofits for free or low-cost glaucoma screenings and follow-up treatment for uninsured and underinsured high-risk individuals. It requires priority for projects serving racial and ethnic minority communities and other underserved populations with high glaucoma burden, mandates grantee evaluations, and authorizes $10 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2028.

This section establishes a competitive grant program at the National Eye Institute for research on glaucoma and optic nerve damage, including optic nerve regeneration and repair, neuroprotection strategies to prevent retinal ganglion cell loss, gene therapies, and stem cell-based therapies. It authorizes $10 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2028.