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EyeCare
America Provides Free Dilated Eye Exams
During Diabetes Awareness Month in November
Dilated Eye
Exams help protect Seniors with Diabetes
from Vision Loss
SAN FRANCISCO,
Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In honor
of Diabetes Awareness Month this November,
EyeCare America, a public service program of
the Foundation of the American Academy of
Ophthalmology, encourages people age 65 and
older to take advantage of its Diabetes
EyeCare Program.
This year-round program offers dilated eye
exams and up to one year of care at no
out-of-pocket cost to qualified patients.
To see if you, a loved one or a friend, is
eligible to receive a referral to one of
EyeCare America's 7,000 volunteer
ophthalmologists, call 1-800-272-EYES
(3937). EyeCare America's help lines are
open 24 hours a day, every day, year round.
Diabetes continues to be a growing epidemic
in the United States. Currently, an
estimated 17.9 million Americans have been
diagnosed with diabetes.
However, another 5.7 million people are
unaware they even have the disease and 57
million people are at risk of getting the
disease.
What many of these individuals may not know
is that all people with diabetes -- both
type 1 and type 2 -- are at risk for getting
diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of
vision loss among adults in the United
States.
In fact, people with diabetes are 25 times
more likely to lose their vision than those
without the disease.
In addition, the longer a person has
diabetes, the more likely it is for him or
her to have diabetic retinopathy.
Between 40 to 45 percent of Americans
diagnosed with diabetes have some form of
diabetic retinopathy.
"Diabetes causes up to 24,000 new cases of
vision loss each year," said C. Pat
Wilkinson, MD, ophthalmologist and chairman
of EyeCare America's Diabetes EyeCare
Program.
"What people don't know is that early
detection, timely treatment and appropriate
follow-up care can reduce their risk of
blindness by 95 percent even for people with
established and significant diabetic
retinopathy."
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in
the blood vessels of the retina. In some
people with diabetic retinopathy, blood
vessels may swell and leak fluid.
In other people, abnormal new blood vessels
grow on the surface of the retina.
In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy
usually has no warning signs.
Over time, however, the vision blurs and
everyday tasks become more difficult. Vision
loss cannot usually be regained.
EyeCare
America's Diabetes EyeCare Program is
designed for people who:
-- Are age 65 and older5 and older
-- Are U.S. citizens or legal residents
-- Have not seen an ophthalmologist in
three or more years
-- Do not have insurance through an HMO
or the VA
People eligible for a referral through the
program receive a comprehensive, medical eye
exam and up to one year of care at no
out-of-pocket cost for any disease diagnosed
during the initial exam. Volunteer
ophthalmologists accept Medicare and/or
other insurance reimbursement as payment in
full. Individuals without insurance are seen
at no charge.
For a Diabetes EyeCare Program referral,
those interested may call 1.800.272.EYES
(3937) toll-free, 24 hours a day, every day,
year round.
About EyeCare America
Founded in 1985, EyeCare America, a public
service program of the Foundation of the
American Academy of Ophthalmology, is
committed to the preservation of sight,
accomplishing its mission through public
service and education.
EyeCare America's public service programs
provide eye care services to the medically
underserved and for those at increased risk
for eye disease through its corps of 7,000
volunteer ophthalmologists dedicated to
serving their communities.
More than 90 percent of the care made
available is provided with no out-of-pocket
cost to the patients.
Public service includes programs for
seniors, glaucoma, diabetes, AMD and
children, and is the largest program of its
kind in American medicine.
Since its inception, EyeCare America has
helped more than 1 million people. More
information can be found at:
www.eyecareamerica.org
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