EyeCare America

How It Works

Protect Your Sight. Early detection is key. Get a medical eye exam by an ophthalmologist.

EyeCare America, one of the country’s leading public service programs provides eye care through a pool of more than 5,500 volunteer ophthalmologists. Since 1985, EyeCare America has helped more than 2 million people. Ninety percent of the care provided is at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient.

We offer two programs:

• The Seniors Program connects eligible seniors 65 and older with local volunteer ophthalmologists who provide a medical eye exam often at no out-of-pocket cost, and up to one year of followup care for any condition diagnosed during the initial exam, for the physician services.
• The Glaucoma Program provides a glaucoma eye exam at no cost to those who are eligible and uninsured. Those who are eligible and insured are billed normal office procedure, and responsible for any co-payments. (This is an awareness program to provide a baseline glaucoma eye exam to those who may not be aware they are at increased risk). 

See if you are eligible for one of our programs.

Seniors Program:

• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Age 65 or older
• Not belong to an HMO or have eye care benefits through the VA
• Not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years

Glaucoma Program:

• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Not belong to an HMO or have eye care benefits through the VA
• Not had an eye exam in 12 months or more
• At increased risk for glaucoma, determined by your age, race and family history

Services That Are Not Covered

• Additional services necessary for your care such as hospitals, surgical facilities, anesthesiologists, and medications, are the patient's responsibility and beyond the scope of EyeCare America services. The ophthalmologist is a volunteer who agrees to provide only services within these program guidelines.
• EyeCare America provides medical eye care, only. The program does NOT provide eyeglass prescriptions or cover the cost of eye glasses. If you are concerned about the cost of these items, please discuss this with the doctor BEFORE the examination, or visit our eye glasses resources webpage.

Additional Referrals

• If you were eligible for the Seniors Program, and require a re-referral to another ophthalmologist for specialty care, you or the EyeCare America volunteer ophthalmologist MUST contact EyeCare America in order to continue receiving care through the program. We may be able to locate another EyeCare America volunteer to provide the care.