Medical Eye Exams for Eligible
Seniors for No Out-of-Pocket Cost!

Don't neglect your vision; read on to see if you are a candidate for this special financial assistance from the Seniors EyeCare Program.

By Liz Segre

Who needs the most eye care? Seniors. Why? Most people with serious eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are seniors. So what's the problem? The cost of eye care.

Many seniors are neglecting their vision problems because they have low or fixed incomes or inadequate vision insurance. There is a solution: the Seniors EyeCare Program, formerly known as National Eye Care Project (NECP). Under this program, if you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident age 65 or older, have not seen an ophthalmologist in the last three years or more, and do not belong to an HMO or have Veteran's vision care, you can call a toll-free number for the name of a volunteer ophthalmologist in your area.

Then, you make an appointment for a medical eye examination. The ophthalmologist will treat any condition he or she diagnoses during that first visit. If ongoing care is required for the condition, it will be provided free through this program for one year. However, the program will not cover the cost of eyeglasses, prescription drugs, hospital services or fees from other medical professionals.

Don't risk losing your vision! Get a medical eye exam right away.

Volunteer ophthalmologists will accept Medicare or other insurance as full payment, with no additional payment from you. If you don't have any insurance, the eye care is free.

The greatest benefit of Seniors EyeCare is that it encourages financially disadvantaged seniors to take care of vision problems before they worsen. Cataracts need to be monitored and eventually removed; glaucoma and ocular hypertension must be treated or monitored regularly. If not, these diseases often lead to low vision or blindness.

If you think you are a candidate for this program, or if you know a senior who is, please call this toll-free helpline today: 1-800-222-EYES (3937).

The non-profit Seniors EyeCare Program, formerly known as the National Eye Care Project, is sponsored by the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc. and Alcon. It has been operating since 1986 and has helped more than 1 million seniors gain access to medical eye care.

[Page updated October 2009]