Don’t neglect your vision; read on to see if you are a candidate for this special program from the National Eye Care Project.
By Liz Segre.
Who needs the most eyecare? Seniors. Why? Most people with serious eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are seniors.
So what’s the problem? The cost of eyecare.
Many seniors are neglecting their vision problems because they have low or fixed incomes or inadequate insurance. There is a solution: the National Eye Care Project (NECP). Under this program, if you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident age 65 and older, have not seen an ophthalmologist in the last three years or more, and do not belong to an HMO or have Veteran’s vision care, you can call a toll-free number for the name of a volunteer ophthalmologist in your area.
Then, you make an appointment for a medical eye examination. The ophthalmologist will treat any condition he or she diagnoses during that first visit. If ongoing care is required for the condition, it will be provided free through the NECP for one year.
Volunteer ophthalmologists will accept Medicare or other insurance as full payment, with no additional payment from you. If you don’t have any insurance, the eyecare is free.
The greatest benefit of the NECP is that it encourages financially disadvantaged seniors to take care of vision problems before they worsen. Cataracts need to be monitored and eventually removed; glaucoma and ocular hypertension must be treated regularly. Left untreated, these diseases often lead to blindness.
If you think you are a candidate for this program, or if you know a senior who is, please call this toll-free helpline today: 1-800-222-EYES (3937).