Group Offers Free Eye Exams for Low-Income Workers

January 15, 2002

Tuesday January 15 10:26 AM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Free eye exams are currently being offered for

uninsured low-income workers and their families through the American Optometric

Association's (AOA) VISION USA 2002 program, according to the association. The

deadline for the program is January 31, 2002.

``An estimated 44 million people in the nation lack eye care and other health

benefits, do not qualify for government or private health assistance programs

and cannot afford to pay for eye care out of their own pockets,'' AOA president

Dr. W. said in a statement. ``This is our way of bridging that

gap.''

The nonprofit program, now in its 12th year, has enabled almost 300,000

low-income children and adults nationwide to receive eye exams from one of the

more than 7,000 optometrists who are volunteering their services.

Nearly 1 out of 5 individuals who have participated in the program received

their first eye exam through VISION USA, according to the association. Vision

problems or eye diseases, such as potentially blinding glaucoma, were discovered

in almost 90% of individuals who have received eye care through the program.

Others have been diagnosed with diabetes, brain tumors and other general health

problems that can affect vision.

Eligibility requirements for VISION USA stipulate that prospective applicants

must have a job or live in a household with a working individual, must have an

income below the low-income level set by his or her state of residence based on

household size, and must not have health insurance that covers eye examinations.

In addition, applicants must not have had an eye examination within the past 2

years.

For more information about the program, call 1-800-766-4466 Monday to Friday

from 7 AM to 9 PM CST. Interested individuals can also obtain an application

online via the American Optometric Association's Web site, www.aoa.org.

VISION USA is sponsored by VSP, the largest provider of eye care wellness

benefits in the nation.

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