Palit rn Seniors: Make Eye Care Part Of Your Wellness Routine (NAPSA)—Regular checkups at the doctor's office are a familiar routine for most people: blood pressure checks, blood tests and health history questions. There's something else you should know, however: Your overall health can affect youreyes. This is why ophthalmologists—physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care—urge people to take a similar wellness approach whenit comes to the health of their eyes. By age 65, one in three Americans has some form of age-related, vision-limiting eye disease such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. The good newsis, treating these conditions can slow or prevent vision loss. The key to a diagnosis is a medical eye examination by an ophthalmologist who can help keep youreyes functioning well throughout your life. In general, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommendsthat people age 65 or older get a comprehensive medical eye exam every one to two years, regardless of whetherthey experience any symptoms. Eye Exam or Glaucoma Exam Often At No Cost The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s unique EyeCare America program helps medically underserved seniors access sight-saving eye care. The program offers two services: a comprehensive medical eye exam foreligible seniors and a glaucoma exam for individuals who are determinedto be at increased risk based on their age, race and glaucoma family history. Each service has slightly different eligibility requirements. Under the Seniors program, those eligible will be matched with a nearby volunteer ophthalmologist who will provide a medical eye exam and up to one year of follow-up care for any disease diagnosedatthe initial exam, often at no out-of-pocketcost. To be eligible for the Seniors program, you must: It’s wise to have your eyes checked every year or two, especially after age 65. Be a US.citizen or legal resident Be age 65 or older e Not belong to an HMOor have eye care benefits through the VA e Have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or moreyears. The Glaucoma program provides a glaucoma eye exam at no cost to those whoareeligible and uninsured. Glaucomatesting is especially important becausethe condition can sneak up on you, worsening over time without symptoms. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in people over age 60. The condition can respond wellto treatment, especially when diagnosedearly. To be eligible for the Glaucomaprogram, you must: Bea US.citizen or legal resident e Not belong to an HMOor have eye care benefits through the VA e Have not had an eye exam in 12 months or more Be at increased risk for glaucoma, determined by age, race and family history of glaucoma. To learn more about EyeCare Americas Seniors and Glaucoma programs and to find out if you or a loved oneis eligible, visit EyeCare America at www. aao.org/eyecareamerica. EyeCare America is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., with additional support provided by Alcon.
