EyeCare America Protects Seniors with Diabetes from Vision Loss with Free Everyone with diabetes is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a leading …
-For Immediate Release-
EyeCare America Protects Seniors with Diabetes from Vision Loss with
Free Dilated Eye Exams During Novembers Diabetes Awareness Month
Dilated Eye Exams Available from 7,200 Volunteer Ophthalmologists
Across the US
November 1, 2007 - San Francisco, CA - Diabetes is a growing epidemic
in the US including undiagnosed cases Authorities believe about 17
million Americans, nearly 6 percent of the US population, have
diabetes today Everyone with diabetes is at risk of developing
diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of vision loss among adults in
the United States
For those candidates in need of low-cost health care, getting
necessary tests for diabetes and eye care can be a big challenge A
recent study at the University of California, Los Angeles found
elderly patients on Medicare and Medicaid are not receiving quality
care, only getting 65 of tests and treatments recommended for
illnesses and conditions In fact, researchers said nearly 60 percent
of those diabetes patients
did not undergo vision testing during the
studys one-year period
Diabetes causes up to 24,000 new cases of vision loss each year,
said Richard P Mills, MD, ophthalmologist and chairman of EyeCare
America But what people dont know is that early detection, timely
treatment and appropriate follow-up care can reduce the risk of
blindness by 95 percent, even for people with established and
significant diabetic retinopathy
In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month taking place in November, EyeCare
America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American
Academy of Ophthalmology, encourages people age 65 and older to take
advantage of its Diabetes EyeCare Program This year-round program
offers eye exams and up to one year of care at no out-of-pocket cost
to qualified patients To see if you, a loved one or a friend, is
eligible to receive a referral to one of EyeCare Americas 7,200
volunteer ophthalmologists, call 1-800-272-EYES 3937 The EyeCare
America help lines are open 24 hours a day, every day, year round
People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to lose vision
than
those without the disease The longer a person has diabetes, the more
likely it is for him or her to have retinopathy In its early stages,
diabetic retinopathy usually has no warning signs Over time, however,
the vision blurs and everyday tasks become more difficult Vision loss
cannot usually be regained
EyeCare Americas Diabetes EyeCare Program:
promotes annual, dilated eye exams for seniors with diabetes,
raises awareness about diabetic eye disease, including diabetic
retinopathy,
provides free diabetic eye disease educational materials and
facilitates access to eye care
People eligible for a referral through the program receive a
comprehensive, medical eye exam and up to one year of care at no out-
of-pocket cost for any disease diagnosed during the initial exam
Volunteer ophthalmologists accept Medicare and/or other insurance
reimbursement as payment in full
EyeCare Americas Diabetes EyeCare Program is designed for people who:
- Are age 65 and older
- Are US citizens or legal residents
- Have not seen an ophthalmologist in three
or more years
- Do not have insurance through an HMO or the VA
For a Diabetes EyeCare Program referral, those interested may call
1800272EYES 3937 toll-free, 24 hours a day, every day, year
round
About EyeCare America
Founded in 1985, EyeCare America, a public service program of the
Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is committed to
the preservation of sight, accomplishing its mission through public
service and education EyeCare Americas public service programs
provide eye care services to the medically underserved and for those
at increased risk for eye disease through its corps of 7,200 volunteer
ophthalmologists dedicated to serving their communities More than 90
percent of the care made available is provided with no out-of-pocket
cost to the patients Public service includes programs for seniors,
glaucoma, diabetes, AMD and children, and is the largest program of
its kind in American medicine Since its inception, EyeCare America
has helped more than 860,000 people More information can be found at:
wwweyecareamericaorg
Media
Contact: Allison Neves, Director of EyeCare America
Communications, 4155618518, aneves@aaoorg
NOTE TO EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: High-resolution images available in the
EyeCare America Press Room at wwweyecareamericaorg B-roll as well
as interviews with EyeCare America spokespeople available upon
request
Source:eyecareamerica.org
