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EYECARE AMERICA PROMOTES NO
COST MEDICAL EYE EXAMS, *TO THOSE ELIGIBLE, THROUGH IT’S YEAR-ROUND
GLAUCOMA EYECARE PROGRAM...z National Non-profit Continues Commitment to
Glaucoma Detection and Treatment Across the Country December 15, 2003 – San Francisco,
CA – Nearly three million people have glaucoma, but half do not
realize it because there are often no warning symptoms. In honor of
Glaucoma Awareness Month taking place in January 2004, EyeCare America,
the public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology,
encourages people to take advantage of its year-round, national Glaucoma
EyeCare Program.
This program offers glaucoma eye exams
and care for those at increased risk of glaucoma. To see if you, a
loved one or a friend, is eligible to receive a referral for an eye exam
and care, call 1-800-391-EYES (3937), 24 hours, seven days a week, 365
days a year. All eligible callers (see criteria below) receive a
referral to one of EyeCare America’s 7,500 volunteer ophthalmologists.
*Those eligible for a referral
through the glaucoma program receive a glaucoma eye exam and the
initiation of treatment, if deemed necessary. Patients with insurance
will be billed and are responsible for any co-payments and/or the cost
of the eye examination. Uninsured patients will receive the above care
at no charge.
“If it wasn’t for EyeCare
America my husband may have lost his sight to glaucoma,“ said, Eva
Gordon, wife of an EyeCare America patient.
- Facts About Glaucoma - It is
estimated that over 3 million Americans have glaucoma but only half
of those know they have it.
- Approximately 120,000 are blind
from glaucoma, accounting for 9% to 12% of all cases of blindness in
the U.S.
- Glaucoma is the leading cause of
blindness among African-Americans.
- Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more
common in African-Americans than Caucasians.
- The most common form, Open Angle
Glaucoma, accounts for 19% of all blindness among African-Americans
compared to 6% in Caucasians.
- Glaucoma is the second leading
cause of blindness in the U.S. and the first leading cause of
preventable blindness.
- African-Americans ages 45-65
are 14 to 17 times more likely to go blind from glaucoma than
Caucasians with glaucoma in the same age group.
- Other high-risk groups include:
people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed,
diabetics, and people who are severely nearsighted.
- The Glaucoma EyeCare Program promotes
early detection and treatment of glaucoma. It raises awareness of
glaucoma risk factors, provides free glaucoma educational materials
and facilitates access to a glaucoma eye examination.
The Glaucoma EyeCare Program is
designed for people who: · Are US citizens or legal residents · Have
not had an eye exam in 12 months or more · Are at increased risk for
glaucoma (family history, race, age)
People may call the toll-free help
line at 1-800-391-EYES (3937) anytime, for themselves and/or family
members and friends, to see if they qualify for a glaucoma eye exam or
to request free eye care information. About EyeCare America’s Public
Service Program EyeCare America’s national public service program
provides access to eye care for the medically underserved and for those
at increased risk for eye disease through volunteer ophthalmologists who
donate their services.
More than 90 percent of the care made
available through EyeCare America is provided at no out-of-pocket cost
to the patients. The organization operates programs for seniors,
glaucoma, diabetes, and
Since 1985, EyeCare America’s
public service program has handled more than 644,000 calls, provided
services to 347,000 people, and treated more than 180,000 cases of eye
disease. About EyeCare America Founded in 1980, EyeCare America, the
public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is
committed to the preservation of sight, accomplishing its mission
through public service and education.
In the United States, EyeCare America
is one of the largest providers of eye care services to the medically
underserved and educates the general public about the eye and vision. In
developing nations, EyeCare America helps improve eye care by providing
free educational resources and materials to ophthalmologists in those
regions.
EyeCare America is a non-profit
organization whose success is made possible by its corps of more than
7,500 volunteer ophthalmologists dedicated to serving their communities
and through charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and
foundations. More information can be found at: www.eyecareamerica.org
Sources: (1) Prevent Blindness
America; (2) National Eye Health Program/National Institutes of Health;
(3) American Academy of Ophthalmology; (4) Racial differences in the
cause-specific prevalence of blindness in east Baltimore. N Engl J Med.
1991 Nov 14;325(20):1412-7; (5) Glaucoma Research Foundation |
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