Financial Aid for Eye Care

Many state and national resources regularly provide aid to people with vision problems. The National Eye Institute, which supports eye research, does not help individuals pay for eye care. However, if you are in need of financial aid to assess or treat an eye problem, you might contact one or more of the following programs.

You may also contact a social worker at a local hospital or other community agency. Social workers often are knowledgeable about community resources that can help people facing financial and medical problems.

Eye Exams and Surgery

• EyeCare America, a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Provides comprehensive eye exams and care for up to one year, often at no out-of-pocket expense to eligible callers through its seniors and Diabetes EyeCare Programs. Its Glaucoma EyeCare Program provides a glaucoma eye exam. The EyeCare America Children's EyeCare Program educates parents and primary care providers about the importance of early childhood (newborn through 36 months of age) eye care. Telephone: 1-800-222-EYES (3937). Website: http://eyecareamerica.org.
• VISION USA, coordinated by the American Optometric Association (AOA), provides free eye care to uninsured, low-income workers and their families. Telephone: 1-800-766-4466. Website: http://www.aoa.org/x5607.xml.
• Lions Clubs International provides financial assistance to individuals for eye care through local clubs. A local club can be found by using the "club locator" button found on their website at http://www.LionsClubs.org.
• Mission Cataract USA, coordinated by the Volunteer Eye Surgeons' Association, is a program providing free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no other means to pay. Surgeries are scheduled annually on one day, usually in May. Telephone: 1-800-343-7265. Website: http://www.missioncataractUSA.org.
• Knights Templar Eye Foundation provides assistance for eye surgery for people who are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance from current government agencies or similar sources. Mailing address: 1000 East State Parkway, Suite I, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Telephone: (847) 490-3838. Website: http://www.knightstemplar.org/ktef/ktef-faq.htm#contact.
• InfantSEE® is a public health program designed to ensure early detection of eye conditions in babies. Member optometrists provide a free comprehensive infant eye assessment to children younger than one year. Telephone: 1-888-396-3937. Website: http://www.infantsee.org.

Eyeglasses

• Sight for Students, a Vision Service Plan (VSP) program provides eye exams and glasses to children 18 years and younger whose families cannot afford vision care. Telephone: 1-888-290-4964. Website: http://www.sightforstudents.org/.
• New Eyes for the Needy provides vouchers for the purchase of new prescription eyeglasses. Mailing address: 549 Millburn Avenue, P.O. Box 332, Short Hills, NJ 07078-0332. Telephone: (973) 376-4903. E-mail: neweyesfortheneedy@verizon.net. Website: http://www.neweyesfortheneedy.org.

Prescription Drugs

• The Medicine Program assists people to enroll in one or more of the many patient assistance programs that provide prescription medicine free-of-charge to those in need. Patients must meet the sponsor's criteria. The program is conducted in cooperation with the patient's doctor. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4182, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902-4182. Telephone: 1-866-694-3893. E-mail: help@themedicineprogram.com. Website: http://www.themedicineprogram.com.
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Telephone: 1-888-477-2669. Website: https://www.pparx.org.

Government Programs

• Medicare Benefit for Eye Exams
  For People with Diabetes -- People with Medicare who have diabetes can get a dilated eye exam to check for diabetic eye disease. Your doctor will decide how often you need this exam.
  For People at Risk for Glaucoma -- Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss. People at high risk for glaucoma include those with diabetes or a family history of glaucoma, or African Americans age 50 or older. Medicare will pay for an eye exam to check for glaucoma once every 12 months.
  Patients must pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. Telephone: 1-800-633-4227. Website: http://www.medicare.gov.
• State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
  For little or no cost, this insurance pays for doctor visits, prescription medicines, hospitalizations, and much more for children 18 years and younger. Most states also cover the cost of dental care, eye care, and medical equipment. Telephone: 1-877-543-7669. Insure Kids Now! Website: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/states.asp.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is the Federal government's lead agency for vision research that leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness.

Many state and national resources regularly provide aid to people with vision problems. The National Eye Institute, which supports eye research, does not help individuals pay for eye care. However, if you are in need of financial aid to assess or treat an eye problem, you might contact one or more of the following programs.

You may also contact a social worker at a local hospital or other community agency. Social workers often are knowledgeable about community resources that can help people facing financial and medical problems.

Eye Exams and Surgery

• EyeCare America, a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Provides comprehensive eye exams and care for up to one year, often at no out-of-pocket expense to eligible callers through its seniors and Diabetes EyeCare Programs. Its Glaucoma EyeCare Program provides a glaucoma eye exam. The EyeCare America Children's EyeCare Program educates parents and primary care providers about the importance of early childhood (newborn through 36 months of age) eye care. Telephone: 1-800-222-EYES (3937). Website: http://eyecareamerica.org.
• VISION USA, coordinated by the American Optometric Association (AOA), provides free eye care to uninsured, low-income workers and their families. Telephone: 1-800-766-4466. Website: http://www.aoa.org/x5607.xml.
• Lions Clubs International provides financial assistance to individuals for eye care through local clubs. A local club can be found by using the "club locator" button found on their website at http://www.LionsClubs.org.
• Mission Cataract USA, coordinated by the Volunteer Eye Surgeons' Association, is a program providing free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no other means to pay. Surgeries are scheduled annually on one day, usually in May. Telephone: 1-800-343-7265. Website: http://www.missioncataractUSA.org.
• Knights Templar Eye Foundation provides assistance for eye surgery for people who are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance from current government agencies or similar sources. Mailing address: 1000 East State Parkway, Suite I, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Telephone: (847) 490-3838. Website: http://www.knightstemplar.org/ktef/ktef-faq.htm#contact.
• InfantSEE® is a public health program designed to ensure early detection of eye conditions in babies. Member optometrists provide a free comprehensive infant eye assessment to children younger than one year. Telephone: 1-888-396-3937. Website: http://www.infantsee.org.

Eyeglasses

• Sight for Students, a Vision Service Plan (VSP) program provides eye exams and glasses to children 18 years and younger whose families cannot afford vision care. Telephone: 1-888-290-4964. Website: http://www.sightforstudents.org/.
• New Eyes for the Needy provides vouchers for the purchase of new prescription eyeglasses. Mailing address: 549 Millburn Avenue, P.O. Box 332, Short Hills, NJ 07078-0332. Telephone: (973) 376-4903. E-mail: neweyesfortheneedy@verizon.net. Website: http://www.neweyesfortheneedy.org.

Prescription Drugs

• The Medicine Program assists people to enroll in one or more of the many patient assistance programs that provide prescription medicine free-of-charge to those in need. Patients must meet the sponsor's criteria. The program is conducted in cooperation with the patient's doctor. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4182, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902-4182. Telephone: 1-866-694-3893. E-mail: help@themedicineprogram.com. Website: http://www.themedicineprogram.com.
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Telephone: 1-888-477-2669. Website: https://www.pparx.org.

Government Programs

• Medicare Benefit for Eye Exams
  For People with Diabetes -- People with Medicare who have diabetes can get a dilated eye exam to check for diabetic eye disease. Your doctor will decide how often you need this exam.
  For People at Risk for Glaucoma -- Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss. People at high risk for glaucoma include those with diabetes or a family history of glaucoma, or African Americans age 50 or older. Medicare will pay for an eye exam to check for glaucoma once every 12 months.
  Patients must pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. Telephone: 1-800-633-4227. Website: http://www.medicare.gov.
• State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
  For little or no cost, this insurance pays for doctor visits, prescription medicines, hospitalizations, and much more for children 18 years and younger. Most states also cover the cost of dental care, eye care, and medical equipment. Telephone: 1-877-543-7669. Insure Kids Now! Website: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/states.asp.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is the Federal government's lead agency for vision research that leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness.

Click Here For Website

Special Promotion: EyeCare America Wants Everyone to Take Advantage of its National Give the Gift of Sight Campaign!

This year, EyeCare America^® has launched its National Give the Gift of Sight campaign! As a part of the campaign, the organization is offering free downloadable certificates with information on their no cost medical eye exams and eye care offered through its Seniors EyeCare Program.  Click here for your free downloadable certificate.

Helping People Over 65 Preserve Sight

The Seniors EyeCare Program ensures that every senior has access to medical eye care and promotes annual, dilated eye exams. It raises awareness about age-related eye disease, including cataracts, provides free eye care educational materials and facilitates access to eye care—at no out-of-pocket cost.

By age 65, one in three Americans has some form of vision impairing eye disease. Most do not know it because there are often no warning symptoms or they assume that poor sight is a natural part of growing older. By detecting and treating eye disease early through annual, dilated eye exams, seniors can preserve their sight.

Learn more about Cataract and its treatment »

Cataract risk factors »

Qualifications

The Seniors EyeCare Program is designed for people who:

• Are US citizens or legal residents
• Are age 65 and older
• Have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years
• Do not belong to an HMO or the VA

To determine if you, a family member or friend qualify for a referral through this program, call 800-222-EYES (3937) toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Benefits

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; patients without insurance receive care at no charge.

EyeCare America offers multiple eye care programs for which individuals may qualify. Callers will automatically be screened to determine the program that provides the most appropriate eye care services. Callers who have not had an eye exam in the past 12 months and are at increased risk for glaucoma may be eligible for a glaucoma eye exam through our Glaucoma EyeCare Program.

Eyeglasses, prescription drugs, hospital services, and fees of other medical professionals are not included in this program.

Our Partners and Sponsors

EyeCare America partners with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging: Making the Link Program.

Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief (PAF CPR) provides co-payment assistance for pharmaceutical products to insured Americans who financially and medically qualify. Visit www.copays.org for more information.

This program is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. and Alcon and endorsed by state ophthalmological societies.

Many state and national resources regularly provide aid to people with vision problems. The National Eye Institute, which supports eye research, does not help individuals pay for eye care. However, if you are in need of financial aid to assess or treat an eye problem, you might contact one or more of the following programs.

You may also contact a social worker at a local hospital or other community agency. Social workers often are knowledgeable about community resources that can help people facing financial and medical problems.

Eye Exams and Surgery

• EyeCare America, a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Provides comprehensive eye exams and care for up to one year, often at no out-of-pocket expense to eligible callers through its seniors and Diabetes EyeCare Programs. Its Glaucoma EyeCare Program provides a glaucoma eye exam. The EyeCare America Children's EyeCare Program educates parents and primary care providers about the importance of early childhood (newborn through 36 months of age) eye care. Telephone: 1-800-222-EYES (3937). Website: http://eyecareamerica.org.
• VISION USA, coordinated by the American Optometric Association (AOA), provides free eye care to uninsured, low-income workers and their families. Telephone: 1-800-766-4466. Website: http://www.aoa.org/x5607.xml.
• Lions Clubs International provides financial assistance to individuals for eye care through local clubs. A local club can be found by using the "club locator" button found on their website at http://www.LionsClubs.org.
• Mission Cataract USA, coordinated by the Volunteer Eye Surgeons' Association, is a program providing free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no other means to pay. Surgeries are scheduled annually on one day, usually in May. Telephone: 1-800-343-7265. Website: http://www.missioncataractUSA.org.
• Knights Templar Eye Foundation provides assistance for eye surgery for people who are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance from current government agencies or similar sources. Mailing address: 1000 East State Parkway, Suite I, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Telephone: (847) 490-3838. Website: http://www.knightstemplar.org/ktef/ktef-faq.htm#contact.
• InfantSEE® is a public health program designed to ensure early detection of eye conditions in babies. Member optometrists provide a free comprehensive infant eye assessment to children younger than one year. Telephone: 1-888-396-3937. Website: http://www.infantsee.org.

Eyeglasses

• Sight for Students, a Vision Service Plan (VSP) program provides eye exams and glasses to children 18 years and younger whose families cannot afford vision care. Telephone: 1-888-290-4964. Website: http://www.sightforstudents.org/.
• New Eyes for the Needy provides vouchers for the purchase of new prescription eyeglasses. Mailing address: 549 Millburn Avenue, P.O. Box 332, Short Hills, NJ 07078-0332. Telephone: (973) 376-4903. E-mail: neweyesfortheneedy@verizon.net. Website: http://www.neweyesfortheneedy.org.

Prescription Drugs

• The Medicine Program assists people to enroll in one or more of the many patient assistance programs that provide prescription medicine free-of-charge to those in need. Patients must meet the sponsor's criteria. The program is conducted in cooperation with the patient's doctor. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4182, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902-4182. Telephone: 1-866-694-3893. E-mail: help@themedicineprogram.com. Website: http://www.themedicineprogram.com.
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Telephone: 1-888-477-2669. Website: https://www.pparx.org.

Government Programs

• Medicare Benefit for Eye Exams
  For People with Diabetes -- People with Medicare who have diabetes can get a dilated eye exam to check for diabetic eye disease. Your doctor will decide how often you need this exam.
  For People at Risk for Glaucoma -- Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss. People at high risk for glaucoma include those with diabetes or a family history of glaucoma, or African Americans age 50 or older. Medicare will pay for an eye exam to check for glaucoma once every 12 months.
  Patients must pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. Telephone: 1-800-633-4227. Website: http://www.medicare.gov.
• State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
  For little or no cost, this insurance pays for doctor visits, prescription medicines, hospitalizations, and much more for children 18 years and younger. Most states also cover the cost of dental care, eye care, and medical equipment. Telephone: 1-877-543-7669. Insure Kids Now! Website: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/states.asp.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is the Federal government's lead agency for vision research that leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness.

Many state and national resources regularly provide aid to people with vision problems. The National Eye Institute, which supports eye research, does not help individuals pay for eye care. However, if you are in need of financial aid to assess or treat an eye problem, you might contact one or more of the following programs.

You may also contact a social worker at a local hospital or other community agency. Social workers often are knowledgeable about community resources that can help people facing financial and medical problems.

Eye Exams and Surgery

• EyeCare America, a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Provides comprehensive eye exams and care for up to one year, often at no out-of-pocket expense to eligible callers through its seniors and Diabetes EyeCare Programs. Its Glaucoma EyeCare Program provides a glaucoma eye exam. The EyeCare America Children's EyeCare Program educates parents and primary care providers about the importance of early childhood (newborn through 36 months of age) eye care. Telephone: 1-800-222-EYES (3937). Website: http://eyecareamerica.org.
• VISION USA, coordinated by the American Optometric Association (AOA), provides free eye care to uninsured, low-income workers and their families. Telephone: 1-800-766-4466. Website: http://www.aoa.org/x5607.xml.
• Lions Clubs International provides financial assistance to individuals for eye care through local clubs. A local club can be found by using the "club locator" button found on their website at http://www.LionsClubs.org.
• Mission Cataract USA, coordinated by the Volunteer Eye Surgeons' Association, is a program providing free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no other means to pay. Surgeries are scheduled annually on one day, usually in May. Telephone: 1-800-343-7265. Website: http://www.missioncataractUSA.org.
• Knights Templar Eye Foundation provides assistance for eye surgery for people who are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance from current government agencies or similar sources. Mailing address: 1000 East State Parkway, Suite I, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Telephone: (847) 490-3838. Website: http://www.knightstemplar.org/ktef/ktef-faq.htm#contact.
• InfantSEE® is a public health program designed to ensure early detection of eye conditions in babies. Member optometrists provide a free comprehensive infant eye assessment to children younger than one year. Telephone: 1-888-396-3937. Website: http://www.infantsee.org.

Eyeglasses

• Sight for Students, a Vision Service Plan (VSP) program provides eye exams and glasses to children 18 years and younger whose families cannot afford vision care. Telephone: 1-888-290-4964. Website: http://www.sightforstudents.org/.
• New Eyes for the Needy provides vouchers for the purchase of new prescription eyeglasses. Mailing address: 549 Millburn Avenue, P.O. Box 332, Short Hills, NJ 07078-0332. Telephone: (973) 376-4903. E-mail: neweyesfortheneedy@verizon.net. Website: http://www.neweyesfortheneedy.org.

Prescription Drugs

• The Medicine Program assists people to enroll in one or more of the many patient assistance programs that provide prescription medicine free-of-charge to those in need. Patients must meet the sponsor's criteria. The program is conducted in cooperation with the patient's doctor. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4182, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902-4182. Telephone: 1-866-694-3893. E-mail: help@themedicineprogram.com. Website: http://www.themedicineprogram.com.
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Telephone: 1-888-477-2669. Website: https://www.pparx.org.

Government Programs

• Medicare Benefit for Eye Exams
  For People with Diabetes -- People with Medicare who have diabetes can get a dilated eye exam to check for diabetic eye disease. Your doctor will decide how often you need this exam.
  For People at Risk for Glaucoma -- Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss. People at high risk for glaucoma include those with diabetes or a family history of glaucoma, or African Americans age 50 or older. Medicare will pay for an eye exam to check for glaucoma once every 12 months.
  Patients must pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. Telephone: 1-800-633-4227. Website: http://www.medicare.gov.
• State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
  For little or no cost, this insurance pays for doctor visits, prescription medicines, hospitalizations, and much more for children 18 years and younger. Most states also cover the cost of dental care, eye care, and medical equipment. Telephone: 1-877-543-7669. Insure Kids Now! Website: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/states.asp.

VISION USA

• Referral Instructions
• Vision USA Application Form

Since 1991, more than 340,000 low-income working Americans have benefited from free eye exams through VISION USA™.

If you do not qualify for government aid or private health care assistance that covers the cost of routine eye or vision care, VISION USA™ can help. VISION USA™ provides basic eye health and vision care services free of charge to uninsured, low-income people and their families. VISION USA™ was established in 1991 by AOA doctors of optometry who donate their services.

Eligibility Requirements

VISION USA™ is open to children and adults. General eligibility requirements vary by state. To receive free services, you must:

1. Have a job or live in a household where there is one working member
2. Have no vision insurance (this may include Medicare/Medicaid)
3. Have income below an established level based on household size
4. Not have had an eye exam within two years

If you or your family are eligible to receive services, you will be matched with a volunteer doctor of optometry who will provide a comprehensive eye exam at no charge. Eyewear also may be provided at no cost or for a small fee/donation in some states. (Note: Doctors donate their services and may be limited in some areas.)

Receiving Care

Residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming should first review screening instructions. If you live in a state not listed here and want to apply, you may apply online.

You also may apply by downloading a Word document application and mailing it to Vision USA™:

• VISION USA™ Application – English - Spanish

Applications also are available by writing, calling or emailing:

VISION USA™
243 North Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63141
1-800-766-4466, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., CST (M-F)
Fax: 314/991-4101
E-mail: visionusa@aoa.org

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 Save 10% on any purchase from 39DollarGlasses.com

If you have a prescription for eye glasses, check here before you buy.  This place has some really good deals for $39.00.  

friendshelpingfriends

 

• Referral Instructions
• Vision USA Application Form

Click Here For Website

If you do not qualify for government aid or private health care assistance that covers the cost of routine eye or vision care, VISION USA™ can help. VISION USA™ provides basic eye health and vision care services free of charge to uninsured, low-income people and their families. VISION USA™ was established in 1991 by AOA doctors of optometry who donate their services.

Eligibility Requirements

VISION USA™ is open to children and adults. General eligibility requirements vary by state. To receive free services, you must:

1. Have a job or live in a household where there is one working member
2. Have no vision insurance (this may include Medicare/Medicaid)
3. Have income below an established level based on household size
4. Not have had an eye exam within two years

If you or your family are eligible to receive services, you will be matched with a volunteer doctor of optometry who will provide a comprehensive eye exam at no charge. Eyewear also may be provided at no cost or for a small fee/donation in some states. (Note: Doctors donate their services and may be limited in some areas.)

Receiving Care

Residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming should first review screening instructions. If you live in a state not listed here and want to apply, you may apply online.

You also may apply by downloading a Word document application and mailing it to Vision USA™:

• VISION USA™ Application – English - Spanish

Applications also are available by writing, calling or emailing:

VISION USA™
243 North Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63141
1-800-766-4466, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., CST (M-F)
Fax: 314/991-4101
E-mail: visionusa@aoa.org

FREE  OR LOW COST Help for eye CARE exams , glasses , low vision aids , braille books for children , camps for those with low vision or blind , specialty eye care , eye care for seniors , grants for children and adults  and more.

 

 

________________________________________________________

09/19/09

Free Braile Bible !

 http://www.biblesfortheblind.org/getbible.shtml

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

08/02/09

Free eye glasses nationwide !

MAKE SURE YOU GO TO THIS SITE TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY !

http://www.preventblindness.org/news/releases/072709_1.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FREE EYE EXAMS   FREE EYEGLASSES   CHECK IT OUT TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY ! ! !

http://www.neweyesfortheneedy.com/users/individuals.html 

 

 

 

07/16/09

 

A program for those who can't afford eye care .

This is information from the site :

Chapters in North America: Unite For Sight's Community Fellows are trained to reduce barriers to care by serving as advocates for community members. Community Fellows educate community members about the importance of receiving regular eye exams to prevent blindness. They connect community members with resources so that they can receive a complete eye exam through professional organizations such as American Academy of Ophthalmology (EyeCare America) and American Optometric Association (VisionUSA). By connecting community members with available free care by eye care professionals, the Community Fellows are helping community members to eliminate preventable blindness. Community Fellows also learn about, understand, and advocate for Unite For Sight's mission to apply best practices in eye care, public health, and volunteerism to achieve our goal of high quality eye care for all.

To find out if there is a Unite for Site near you , click on the link below

http://www.uniteforsight.org/start-a-chapter/list

 

 

 

 

07/01/09

A new vision care program started to build in our country ! Here is some information from the site , and then some links to where the first stations have already been established.

 

As many as 900 million children and adults in the world today are visually impaired due to refractive errors that could be corrected by prescription eye glasses. The World Health Organization estimates that 75% of the world’s blindness could be prevented or treated. Toward that goal, InFOCUS helps large, medically isolated populations acquire basic vision services and the capacity to link patients to professional care.

 For eye care programs that are available so far , please go to the link below :  THESE ARE ALL FOR TEXAS . HOPEFULLY IF ANY DENTAL PROFESSIONALS ACCESS THIS PAGE , YOU CAN START A PROGRAM IN YOUR AREA !

http://eye-care-sites-listing-links-for-the-eye-care-page.app-sl-1.aidpage.com/

 

 

 

 

 

05/09/08

 

I just added a cool resource to my  Dumpster Diver /Frugal low income living page:     soulight777.googlepages.com/livingthefrugallifeormemoirsofadumpsterd  .

It is a site on the Net where you can get glasses for as little as $8.00 ! ! ! The most expensive pair that I saw was priced at $39.00 ! ! !  Check it out ! Now I might be able to get new glasses if I can pay for an exam . That would be cool.

$8.00 EYEGLASSES ! Really !

 

06/29/08

From the comments of customers for the glasses sites listed here , I have seen people praise the services and trash them too . It seems single vision lenses come out the best and the more complicated the prescription , the more glitches. Check the sites out and see if you want to take the risk .

MORE GLASSES FOR LESS : starting at $7.95 !

http://eyebuydirect.com/

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL EYE CARE HELP

 

The Lions organization focuses on assistance and needs of the blind and low vision population. Here is their main page :

VISION SERVICES AND AIDS

 

This organization helps with exams and other eye care , but check out the conditions listed on their site first to see if you qualify.

 

"VISION USA Open year-round

More than 40 million low-income, working people in the United States cannot afford the cost of routine eye care or the health insurance that covers it. As income earners, they don't qualify for government aid and private health-care assistance.

Now a year-round program, VISION USA can help these people by providing basic eye health and vision care services free of charge to the many uninsured low-income people and their families who have no other means of obtaining care."

 

VISION  (FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN)  USA.

 

This site has many links listed for financial assistance with eye exams , surgery , glasses , medications and more :

 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH EYE CARE

 

 

Here is another great page with many links to

assistance with eye challenges :

 

PREVENT BLINDNESS

 

 

The Hadley School for the Blind (listed farther below) is supported by the Lions. Here is a the page from  the Lions site that tells about all the other services that they have :

 

MORE SERVICES FROM HADLEY SCHOOL

 

 

"Founded in 1985, EyeCare America is a public service program of the

Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

 Our mission is to reduce avoidable blindness and severe visual impairment by raising awareness about eye disease and care, providing free eye health educational materials and facilitating access to medical eye care

 
Glaucoma EyeCare Program

The Glaucoma EyeCare Program promotes early detection and treatment of glaucoma by raising awareness of glaucoma risk factors (family history, race, age), and providing free glaucoma educational materials. The program also facilitates access to a glaucoma eye exam.

1-800-391-EYES (3937)

 

 

Diabetes Eyecare Program

The Diabetes EyeCare Program promotes annual, dilated eye exams for people with diabetes. This program raises awareness about diabetic eye disease, including diabetic retinopathy, provides free diabetic eye disease educational materials, and facilitates access to eye care.

1-800-272-EYES (3937)

 

 

AMD EyeCare Program

The AMD EyeCare Program promotes annual eye exams for people 65 and older, raises awareness of AMD, provides the latest information about treatment options and low vision services, offers free AMD educational materials, and facilitates access to eye care.

1-866-324-EYES (3937)

 

 

Children's EyeCare Program

The Children's EyeCare Program is designed to educate parents on how to recognize the symptoms of eye diseases and disorders in their children between newborn and 36 months of age. This program encourages parents who think their child has a vision or eye problem to have their child's eyes examined by their pediatrician, family physician or, if necessary, by an ophthalmologist.

1-800-628-6733
This line operates 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Pacific), Monday through Friday.

 

 

 

FOR SENIORS

 

"The Seniors EyeCare Program (SEP) helps to ensure that all eligible seniors have access to medical eye care and promotes annual, dilated eye exams. SEP raises awareness about age-related eye disease, including cataracts, provides free eye care educational materials and facilitates access to eye care. 

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.

The Seniors EyeCare Program is designed for people who:

Are US citizens or legal residents
Are age 65 and older
Have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years
Do not belong to an HMO or the VA
To determine if you, a family member or friend qualify for a SEP referral call 800.222.EYES (3937) toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year."

 

 

 

EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS

 

Hadley School for the Blind

The Hadley School for the Blind is an accredited international learning center that provides free distance education for:

"blind adults, 14 years of age or older;
families of blind or visually impaired persons;
professionals working in the blindness field.

Hadley offers more than 90 teacher-guided distance education courses including Braille, independent living, pre-algebra, business law, world history, and conversational French.

Students receive educational materials through the mail or access materials online. Students can contact instructors through a toll-free telephone number or through E-mail. "

 

MORE INFORMATION FOR HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

 

 

 

FOR CHILDREN

 

"In 1997 the AAF started this program to provide blind children a free Braille book every month from a popular children’s reading series. The books are for the children to keep and collect for as long as they want them. The titles published every month are the same titles that are available in bookstores and public libraries everywhere. In the past nine years over one hundred fifty titles from popular children’s reading series were distributed to thousands of blind children. "

 

BRAILLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

 

 

 

MORE BRAILLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN :

 

Seedlings
Braille Books for Children
P.O. Box 51924
Livonia, MI 48151-5924
Telephone: (734) 427-8552 or (800) 777-8552
E-mail: seedlink@aol.com
Web site: www.seedlings.org

More than 650 titles available at reasonable prices for braille readers ages 0-14. Choose from print and braille pre-school picture board books, beginning reader print and braille books, and braille-only chapter books through middle school reading level on many different topics including a variety of books in uncontracted braille. Seedlings also offers "The Rose Project," providing free World Book Encyclopedia articles in braille.

 

 

The Braille Institute of America, Inc.
741 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Telephone: (323) 663-1111 or (800) 272-4553
Web site: www.brailleinstitute.org

Publishes Expectations, a free braille volume containing stories for elementary school age children, plus some scratch-and-sniff pages. The book is sent out once a year around Christmastime. A summertime volume, Brailleways, is also available. Write to the Braille Institute of America to get on the mailing list. Other print-braille and braille children’s books are available.

 

 

 The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
18440 Oxnard Street
Tarzana, CA 91356

Maintains a lending library of print/braille books as well as braille books for K–1 up to 12th grade reading and interest level. Books are mailed to the child’s home and also to schools. Contact the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in writing for an application. Offer a free braille calendar, as well as a weekly newspaper for deafblind individuals. All services are free.

 

 

 

TALKING BOOKS 

BRAILLE BOOKS AND

LIBRARIES ORDERED BY STATE 

http://www.afb.org/Results.asp?CategoryID=43&SectionID=40&TopicID=200&DocumentID=933

 

 

 

For even more free braille publications for children , click here :

 

AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR THE BLIND.

 

 

 

MORE FOR CHILDREN

 

InfantSEE® is a public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under this program, which will be available in Summer 2005, our member optometrists will provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment within the first year of life as a no cost public health service

To find a doctor , click on physician locator at the top of this page:

INFANT SEE

 

 

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, a nonprofit volunteer organization, is the nation's educational library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia, or other physical disability.
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
National Headquarters
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
866-732-3585
custserv@rfbd.org
http://www.rfbd.org

 

 

 

 

Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc. is a non-profit organization

(California tax-exempt number LA-EO-65-983) devoted to providing braille and large-print Bibles and Christian reading materials to the blind and visually impaired of the world. These materials are sent FREE OF CHARGE to over 125 countries, and published in forty languages. This is made possible through generous free-will offerings and the aid of over 7,000 volunteers. Please use our menu to learn more about the history and ministry of LBW.

Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc.
13471 California St. / P.O. Box 5000
Yucaipa, CA 92399 U.S.A.
PHONE: (909) 795-8977 FAX: (909) 795-8970

Click here to send e-mail to LBW.

Click here to place an order 

 

 

  The JBI Library provides the visually impaired, blind, physically handicapped and reading disabled of all backgrounds and ages with books, magazines and cultural programs in Audio (in 7 languages), in Large Print and in Braille. Its unique programs enrich the lives of 35,000 individuals around the world.

    The JBI Library provides its readers with a collection ranging from mystery novels to cookbooks to timely topics such as the production of biological weapons. It also offers a broad spectrum of fiction, biography, history, Holocaust studies, short stories, psychology and self-help, memoirs, humor and more. The JBI Library contains the largest collection of Jewish interest books (very broadly defined) for the blind and visually impaired in the world and is the only resource of its kind.

    The JBI Library is an Affiliated Library of the Library of Congress and all of its services and materials are free of charge to those eligible.  

 

JBI INTERNATIONAL 110 East 30th Street New York, NY 10016 Telephone: 212-889-2525 Fax: 212-689-3692 Toll Free: 1-800-433-1531 Executive Staff: Dr. Ellen Isler, President & CEO Israel A. Taub, Vice President & CFO Email Addresses: For General Information, email:   admin@jbilibrary.org For Library Information, email: Pearl Lam plam@jbilibrary.org

 

 

 

 

That All May Read . . .

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)

Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS administers a free library program of braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail.
 

SIGN UP HERE :

https://www.nlstalkingbooks.org/talkingbooksform/

 

 

Here is another book reading service to try :

"Bookshare.org dramatically increases access to books for the community of visually impaired

and otherwise print disabled individuals. This online community enables book scans to be shared, thereby leveraging the collections of thousands of individuals who regularly scan books, eliminating significant duplication of effort. Bookshare.org takes advantage of a special exemption in the U.S. copyright law that permits the reproduction of publications into specialized formats for the disabled.

People who are blind or have severe visual impairments that prevent them from reading ordinary newspaper print, people with learning disabilities such as dyslexia which interfere with the ability to read print material, and people with mobility limitations that interfere with holding or turning the pages of a book may join BookShare. "

BookShare.org 

 

 

 

The National Eye Institute has a free kids activity book called 'See All You Can See'. The book is aimed at kids aged 6-8

http://catalog.nei.nih.gov/...

 

 

 

 

 

GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THOSE WITH SIGHT CHALLENGES

 

 

American Council of the Blind

Student must be legally blind and a U.S. citizen or resident alien. Approximately twelve scholarships are awarded per year ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 each.

http://www.acb.org/
Deadline: March 1 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Foundation for the Blind, Inc.

Type in the word "scholarship" in the search engine at the site link below , to discover numerous funding opportunities, including:

Delta Gamma Foundation Florence Margaret Harvey Memorial Scholarship: $1,000 to a legally blind junior, senior, or graduate student studying rehabilitation and/or education.

Ferdinand Torres AFB Scholarship: $1,000 to a full-time post-secondary student who is legally blind and presents evidence of economic need; the applicant must reside in the United States, but need not be a citizen.

Gladys C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship: $1,000 to a woman who is legally blind and studying classical or religious music.

The Helen Keller Fund provides financial support through grants of $1,000 to $3,000 to help students who are deaf-blind with his/her reading, tutoring, or equipment acquisition expenses. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

The Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship is an award of $500 awarded to a full-time graduate student who is legally blind and who presents evidence of economic need. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Paul W. Ruckes Scholarship: $2,500 to an undergraduate or graduate student who is blind or visually impaired pursuing a degree in engineering or in computer, physical, or life sciences.

R.L. Gillette Scholarship: $1,000 to women who are legally blind and enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program in literature or music.

Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship:

 $2,500 to undergraduate or graduate students who are legally blind and studying rehabilitation and/or education of people who are blind or visually impaired. 

 

http://www.afb.org/ 

 

 

 

 

Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
William & Dorothy Ferrell Scholarship

The Ferrell Scholarship, of $500, is awarded to two selected applicants who are legally blind and are studying for a career in the field of services to persons who are blind or visually impaired. Applicants for the Ferrell Scholarship must be legally blind. The definition of legal blindness is a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the best corrected eye and/or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.
Applicants for the scholarships must be studying at the post-secondary level for a career in the field of services to persons who are blind or visually impaired. Applications must be received in the AER central office by April 15 of even numbered years (i.e., 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 etc.). Scholarships are awarded in conjunction with AER’s biennial international conference, which is held during the summer of the even numbered years. 

http://www.aerbvi.org/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=77 

 

 

Association of Blind Citizens
Scholarship

The Association of Blind Citizens will offer ten thousand dollars in college scholarships to legally blind individuals seeking a college degree. The Reggie Johnson Memorial Scholarship will be valued at $2000 and seven $1000 scholarships will also be available. The scholarships will be offered for the 2007/2008 school year. The scholarship may be applied to tuition, living expenses or related expenses resulting from blindness.

 http://www.blindcitizens.org/abc_scholarship

 

 

Association of Blind Citizens
Assistive Technology Fund

The Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) will provide funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. The ABC board of directors believes that this program will allow blind and visually impaired individuals access to technology products that will have a significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increase the level of independence and enhance their overall quality of life.

http://www.blindcitizens.org/assistive_tech.htm

 

 

 

Are you looking for a Bible that is for the blind or print disabled ? Here is the place ,and they are FREE !

http://www.audiobiblesfortheblind.org/

 

 

 

 

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