Wednesday, January 30, 2002

Free eye exams available

Optometrists throughout Georgia will offer free eye examinations again in 2002 as part of the VISION USA program. During the month of March, members of the Georgia Optometric Association will offer exams to uninsured, low-income Georgia citizens who do not qualify for government and private health care assistance programs.

In January, applicants (uninsured working people and their family members in need of eye care) are invited to phone a special toll-free number (1-800-766-4466) from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. EST. Those who meet certain income and other criteria will be matched with a local Georgia optometrist.

Applicants must have a job or live in a household where at least one person is working full- or part-time. They must have no insurance covering eye examinations. They must have income falling below an established level based on household size, and they must not have had an eye examination during the past two years.

Volunteers in Service in Our Nation (VISION) USA is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity developed by members of the American Optometric Association. Its sole purpose is to provide basic eye health and vision care services, without charge, to individuals who have no other means of obtaining care. The twelfth national VISION USA effort will coincide in March with the nationwide celebration of Save Your Vision Week the first week of the month.

Eye examinations are used to determine the well-being of one's eyesight and to check for eye diseases such as glaucoma. With an examination, recommendations can be made for eyewear to improve sight or for treatment for an eye disease.

"Good vision is important at any age. Unfortunately, there are thousands of people unable to get the eye care they need, even though a family member works, because they are not eligible for government support," said Dr. Mark Gottlieb, O.D., chairman of VISION USA 2002 for the Georgia Optometric Association. "Some may have eye health conditions that could cause vision loss if left untreated."

Administrative costs for VISION USA are being funded by an exclusive grant from VSP, the nation's largest provider of eye care wellness benefits.