Give the gift of vision

This year the gift to give is the gift of sight. The EyeCare America Seniors Eyecare Program may be the best gift you can give this holiday season.

"By age 65, one in three Americans has some form of vision-impairing disease. Unfortunately, many aren’t aware they have an eye disease or believe their poor vision is a natural part of the aging process," said Debra G. Tennen, M.D., who has a practice in Agoura Hills.

"We need to reach seniors with the message that proper eye care is significant component of their overall health," Tennen said.

All U. S. citizens or legal residents age 65 and over who have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years may be eligible for a referral. A call to (800) 222-EYES (3937) will match eligible callers with an ophthalmologist in their area who will provide a comprehensive medical eye examination and up to one year of treatment for any disease diagnosed during the initial visit.

In California there are 619 volunteer ophthalmologists. Those doctors have agreed to accept Medicare or other insurance as payment in full, resulting in no out-of-pocket expense to the patient. Seniors without insurance receive care at no charge.

The Seniors EyeCare Program, co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., began nationwide in 1986. Since that time 27,724 people from California have been served. Nationally, more than 637,000 calls have been received and 352,795 have gained access to medical eye care and information through the program.

Encourage friends and family to call EyeCare America, a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and give the gift of sight this holiday season.