Free eye evaluations offered to attendees of National Urban League meeting

Jacksonville, FL-Johnson & Johnson (J & J) Vision Care Inc. is sponsoring free vision evaluations and patient education for those attending the National Urban League conference in New Orleans, July 25 to 28.

Several stations will be set up at which checks of vision and examinations for signs of glaucoma or retinal irregularities will be conducted. A physician will review the results of the evaluation with each individual and provide educational materials on various eye conditions and the importance of maintaining good vision health. Those for whom additional medical or eye-related needs are uncovered in the evaluations will have the opportunity to receive further assistance from the Daughters of Charity Health Centers, a New Orleans organization that addresses health disparities by offering primary and preventive health services.

“Many patients who suffer from chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and hypertension, also suffer from degeneration of the eyes,” says Michael Griffin, president and chief executive officer, Daughters of Charity Health Centers. “We are always excited about providing health care services that allow members of the community-from infants to seniors-the opportunity to live healthy lives.”

The fact that vision problems can disproportionately affect certain ethnic groups “is cause for concern because not only are these individuals at greater risk for certain eye conditions and diseases, but research also shows that many are not receiving proper diagnosis and treatment,” said Lee Ball, OD, associate director of professional affairs for the Vistakon division of J & J Vision Care.

In a 2006 survey of 676 African-Americans, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of J & J’s Vision Care Institute, 92% of respondents said that maintaining proper vision is a priority for them, but only 47% had an eye exam within the past year, and 24% had not had an eye exam in more than 2 years. Thirty percent said their children had never seen an eye-care professional.

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