By:  Mark A. Sibley, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Did you know that older people suffer more than half the permanent, blinding eye disease in the United States, and that over half of this blindness could be prevented?

If you know anyone who needs medical eye care but cannot afford it, tell him or her help is on the way. January is National Eye Care Month, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and all 50 state ophthalmology societies are sponsoring a National Eye Care Project.

This project was designed to provide the best eye examinations and eye treatment to prevent blindness and restore sight. Eyeglasses are not covered by this program, and this is not a second opinion program for those who already have an ophthalmologist.

The program to prevent blindness and restore sight to our active senior citizens is open to persons 65 years of age or older. The emphasis of the program is to help people who may be without the means to pay and who do not have an ophthalmologist (a medical eye physician and surgeon).

If you or someone you know needs medical eye care and is eligible, please call 1-800-222-EYES (the toll-free help line operated by the National Eye Care Project). Eligible callers will receive a referral to a nearby ophthalmologist who has volunteered to provide care.
 

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