Pfizer gives $1.5 million to glaucoma program

San Francisco-Pfizer Ophthalmics has given EyeCare America a $1.5 million unrestricted grant to promote the program's efforts to raise awareness of glaucoma risk factors and provide free eye examinations to uninsured people.

The grant supports the Glaucoma EyeCare Program, a grassroots effort by some 7,500 members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology to battle glaucoma. EyeCare America is a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

"We share with EyeCare America and ophthalmologists throughout the country the belief that early detection and treatment of glaucoma can preserve sight," said Neil Levine, senior director, and group leader of Endocrine Care/Ophthalmology at Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals.

Those eligible are referred to a participating ophthalmologist for a glaucoma eye examination and the initiation of treatment, if necessary.