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AMD Awareness Month — EyeCare America
By
Michael A. Piekarz
Staff Writer
The
national nonprofit organization, EyeCare America, is helping seniors
keep things in focus during Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness
Month.
EyeCare America was established in 1985 as a public service program of the Foundation
of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. It is committed to the preservation
of sight, accomplishing this mission through public service and education.
More than 90 percent of the care made available under this program is provided
at no out-of-pocket cost to the patients. EyeCare America is the largest program
of its kind in American medicine. Since its inception, EyeCare America has brought
help to more than 860,000 people.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a devastating eye disease and the leading
cause of vision loss in people 65 years or older in the United States. AMD means
that the central area of the retina known as the macula is loosing function.
The retina is made up of layers of nerve cells that sense light and allow eyes
the ability to see.
Most people who get macular degeneration are over age-65. In most cases, the
vision loss is gradual. AMD has no cure, but early detection and treatment may
lessen severe vision loss and slow the progression of the disease.
March is AMD Awareness Month, and EyeCare America is making a tremendous effort
to connect seniors to free eye exams through its AMD EyeCare Program.
The program is available year-round, and it promotes annual eye exams for people
age-65 and older. It also raises awareness of AMD by providing the latest information
about treatment options along with directing people to low-vision services.
The program offers free AMD educational materials, and it facilitates access
to eye care. The eye exams will be conducted by more than 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists
across the country.
The AMD EyeCare Program is cosponsored by Alcon, Inc., Bausch & Lomb, Inc.,
Genentech, Inc., Novartis Ophthalmics and Pfizer Ophthalmics.
The AMD EyeCare Program is designed for people with increased risk for AMD. Those
over age-65 who have not seen an ophthalmologist in over three years may be eligible
for the program. In addition, the program is available only to U.S. citizens
or legal residents who are not members of an HMO or the VA.
The program’s toll-free help line is available at (866) 324-3937. Information
is also available at: www.eyecareamerica.org.
This page and its contents ©2008
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
