EyeCare America provides eye care at no cost to those who qualify through volunteer ophthalmologists
(Medical eye doctors) nationwide.

WHY

One-in-three Americans has some form of vision impairing eye disease by age 65, and nearly three million people of all ages have glaucoma. Most people do not know it either because there are often no early warning symptoms or they assume that poor sight is a natural part of growing older. Detecting and treating eye disease early through annual, dilated eye exams can prevent unnecessary vision loss and preserve sight well into the future.

WHO

Through its Online Referral Center, EyeCare America, one of the largest public service programs in American medicine, EyeCare America provides eye care to the underserved through a pool of more than 5,000 volunteer ophthalmologists. Since 1985, EyeCare America has helped more than 2 million people. Ninety percent of the care provided is at no out-of pocket cost to the patient. EyeCare America offers the Seniors EyeCare Program for eligible seniors 65 and older, and the Glaucoma EyeCare Program for those eligible and uninsured, providing a baseline exam for those who are not aware they have glaucoma.

Two programs offered:

1. The Seniors Program connects eligible seniors 65 and older with local volunteer ophthalmologists who provide a medical eye exam often at no out-of-pocket cost, and up to one year of follow-up care for any condition diagnosed during the initial exam, for the physician services.

2. The Glaucoma Program provides a glaucoma eye exam at no cost to those who are eligible and uninsured. Those who are eligible and insured are billed normal office procedure, and responsible for any co-payments. (This is an awareness program to provide a baseline glaucoma eye exam to those who may not be aware they are at increased risk).

Eligibility for each program:

1. Seniors Program:
   • U.S. citizen or legal resident
   • Age 65 or older
   • Not belong to an HMO or have eye care benefits through the VA
   • Not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years

2. Glaucoma Program:
   • U.S. citizen or legal resident
   • Not belong to an HMO or have eye care benefits through the VA
   • Not had an eye exam in 12 months or more
   • At increased risk for glaucoma, determined by your age, race and family history

SERVICES THAT ARE NOT COVERED:

Additional services necessary for your care such as, hospitals, surgical facilities, anesthesiologists and medications, are the patient's responsibility and beyond the scope of EyeCare America services. The ophthalmologist is a volunteer who agrees to provide only services within these program guidelines.

EYEGLASSES ARE NOT; COVERED:

EyeCare America provides medical eye care, only. The program does NOT provide eyeglass prescriptions or cover the cost of eye glasses. If you are concerned about the cost of these items, please discuss this with the doctor BEFORE the examination, or visit our eye glasses resources webpage.

ADDITIONAL REFERRALS:

If you were eligible for the Seniors Program, and require a re-referral to another ophthalmologist for specialty care, you or the EyeCare America volunteer ophthalmologist MUST contact EyeCare America in order to continue receiving care through the program. We may be able to locate another EyeCare America volunteer to provide the care.

HOW

Visit www.aao.org/eyecareamerica for more information or to see if you qualify for a referral to one of EyeCare America’s 5,000 volunteer ophthalmologists nationwide.

EXCLUDED

Eyeglasses, prescription drugs, hospital services, and fees of other medical professionals

CONTACTS

Christie L. Morse, MD -- Chair, EyeCare America

ECA staff 877-887-6327; Fax 415-561-8567, PO Box 429098 San Francisco, CA 94142

Visit: www.aao.org/eyecareamerica

EyeCare America is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., with additional support provided by Alcon and Regeneron.

EyeCare America is endorsed by state and subspecialty ophthalmological societies. A public service program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, EyeCare America’s mission is to reduce avoidable blindness and severe visual impairment through education and public service.