Minority Health Month brings free exams

San Francisco-EyeCare America is offering free or no out-of-pocket cost eye exams to qualifying individuals in underserved populations during April, National Minority Health Month.

The public service program matches each eligible individual with an ophthalmologist in his or her geographic area who will provide a comprehensive medical eye examination or glaucoma exam. In some cases, patients can receive up to 1 year of treatment at no out-of-pocket cost.

People can determine whether they are eligible for the program by visiting the online referral center at www.eyecareamerica.org.

“The first line of defense against eye disease is to get an eye exam and find out if there’s a problem,” said Richard P. Mills, MD, chairman of EyeCare America. The program is part of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc., and receives additional support from Alcon.

“We want all Americans to get the eye care they need,” Dr. Mills added. “It is our goal to ensure that the cost of medical care never stops someone from getting an exam.”

African-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic populations are at a greater risk than other populations for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, and the former two populations are at greater risk for cataracts. Regular eye exams can lead to the detection and treatment of eye disease and the prevention of serious vision loss.

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