Senate Resolution No. 1518

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
November 2024, as Diabetic Eye Disease Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
health issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 2024, as Diabetic
Eye Disease Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Diabetic Eye Disease Month; and

WHEREAS, Diabetic Eye Disease Month focuses attention on keeping our
eyes healthy; and

WHEREAS, Each November, vision care organizations, physicians,
ophthalmologists, and opticians share resources on how diabetes can
decrease their sight; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Eye Institute, over 7 million
Americans are impacted by diabetic retinopathy, a condition involving
chronic high blood sugar that damages the retina's blood vessels; and

WHEREAS, On August 16, 1968, President Johnson signed a law
establishing the National Eye Institute; this vital organization became
the first government agency exclusively committed to research on human
visual diseases and disorders, a cause championed by LBJ; and

WHEREAS, In March of 1993, a five-year follow-up diabetic
retinopathy results were released, confirming the 95% success rate for
the current treatment plans used in maintaining vision; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, the National Eye Institute was named the primary
agency for a new vision education project as part of the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services People 2010 initiative; and

WHEREAS, Two years later, an Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial showed
that treating early-stage glaucoma patients can slow the disease; and

WHEREAS, In December of 2003, a major retinopathy study found early
treatment improved vision for preemies; this was a groundbreaking report
revealing that high-risk premature infants gained better vision
potential with early treatment; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 2024, as Diabetic
Eye Disease Month in the State of New York; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.