AAO Helps At Risk Minority Groups Receive Eyecare

Based on the fact that minority groups are at greater risk for eye disease and visual impairment, and given that April is National Minority Health Month, a group called  EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), wants to improve access to care for underserved communities by offering free or no-out-of-pocket cost eye exams to qualifying individuals.

Studies show that three times as many African Americans have glaucoma than Caucasians, and four times as many are blind. And as a point of fact, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness among African Americans and Hispanics in the U.S.

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

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. and Alcon co-sponsor the service, and  EyeCare America matches individuals needing care with an ophthalmologist in their area. Some qualifying patients can receive up to one year of treatment with no out-of-pocket cost.