Pryyy Pa qaitin Don’t Let Cost Be The Reason You Go Blind fE SS (NAPSA)—Why would someonesee an eye doctor when they have no symp- toms? The truth is, some of the diseases that can rob youofyour sight don't show symptomsuntil you've already lost vision. ‘The good newsis that an eye exam by an ophthalmologist—a physician who specialize in medical and surgical eye care—can catch the earlysignsofdisease before you losevision. To help seniors who haven't seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years, the American Academy of Ophthalmol- ogy’s EyeCare America program may be ableto help. “As an ophthalmologist, I grew tired of seeing so many older patients too late to stop the progression of vision loss, said Thomas Hutchinson, MD, founder of EyeCare America. “This is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeCare America program exists—to catch eye disease and provide access to eye care to older Americansin need.” EyeCare America has helped more than 1.8 million people since it started in 1985. The program hasbeen credited with saving notjust vision, but lives. Michael R. Feilmeier MD, an oph- thalmologist and EyeCare America volunteer,likely saved an elderly man’s life when he came to him with complaints of partial vision loss. Following a comprehensive eye examination, Dr. Feilmeier detected troubling signs of a blood clot and immediately sent him to a specialist for an ultrasound, which revealed a large clot obstructing 95 percent of the patient’s left carotid artery. “Hadthis condition not been quickly diagnosed andtreated, the patient could have certainly had a majorstroke,” said Feilmeier. Many diseases, from high blood pressure to some cancers, can be diagnosedearly through a medical eye exam. Because the eye is an important part of our nervous system, abnormalities can be detected in the fine blood vessels at a Certain older Americans can get low- or no-cost eye exams. the back ofthe eye before they are seen in other parts of the body. If you are concerned about the cost of a medical eye exam, EyeCare America maybeableto help. To be eligible for the Seniors program, you: Are a US. citizen or legal resident Are age 65 orolder Do not belong to an HMOorhaveeye care benefits through the VA Have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or moreyears. If you are noteligible for the Seniors program you may becomeeligible for the Glaucoma program, which provides a glaucomaeye exam atno cost to those whoare uninsured. To beeligible for the Glaucomaprogram, you: Are a US. citizen or legal resident Do not belong to an HMOorhaveeye care benefits through the VA Have not had an eye exam in 12 months or more Are at increased risk for glaucoma, de- termined by yourage, race and family history of glaucoma. Morethan 90 percentof care is pro- vided, often at no out-of-pocket cost to patients. Visit www.aao.org/eyecaream- erica to see if you or someone you know qualifies to meet with an ophthalmologist, an EyeCare America volunteer. EyeCare America is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., with additional support provided by Alcon.
