1070 lines
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Text
1070 lines
39 KiB
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<li>
|
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Get Free or Low-Cost Eye Care
|
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</li>
|
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|
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|
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<span>Get Free or Low-Cost Eye Care</span>
|
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</h1>
|
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|
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|
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</div>
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<div class="c-text">
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<p>Eye care can be expensive. The good news is that there are programs that offer free or low-cost eye exams and eyeglasses. Some health insurance plans also provide free vision screenings and help to cover the cost of other eye care services, too.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
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</div>
|
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<h2 class="c-section__heading">
|
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Programs that offer free or low-cost eye care
|
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</h2>
|
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<div class="c-text">
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<p>These programs offer free or low-cost eye care. Keep in mind that you’ll need to apply to get help from these programs — and many programs have specific requirements, like having a low income or a higher risk of certain eye diseases.</p><p>Most of these programs provide services across the United States, but your area may have local organizations and services that can help, too.</p>
|
||
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||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
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||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
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<div class="c-section" id="section-id-18901">
|
||
<h3 class="c-section__heading">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
For all ages
|
||
|
||
|
||
</h3>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-callout c-callout--wide c-callout--rounded" id="section-id-18884">
|
||
<figure class="c-callout__image">
|
||
<img src="https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2022-04/Get%20Free%20or%20Low-Cost%20Eye%20Care_1.jpg?itok=5Wdsr90g" alt="Photo of a young doctor using a digital tablet during a consultation with a senior woman." />
|
||
</figure>
|
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<div class="c-callout__content">
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<div class="c-text">
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|
||
<p>These people and organizations may be able to connect you to low-cost eye care:</p><ul><li><strong>Your regular doctor.</strong> Your doctor may be able to refer you to low-cost eye care.</li><li><strong>Your eye doctor.</strong> If you already have an eye doctor and you need help paying for your care or treatment, ask them if there are programs you may qualify for that can help.</li><li><strong>Community health centers.</strong> Some community health centers have an eye clinic and offer free or low-cost care. Use this tool to <a href="https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/">find a community health center</a> near you.</li><li><strong>Local colleges or universities.</strong> If there is a college or university near you that has an optometry or ophthalmology program, ask if they offer low-cost eye care.</li><li><strong>Your local pharmacy.</strong> Ask your pharmacist if they offer discounts on medicines or medicine delivery.</li></ul>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>VSP Eyes of Hope</strong> provides children and adults with no-cost eye care and eyeglasses. This program is for people with limited income who don’t have health insurance. To apply for Eyes of Hope, you’ll need help from a school nurse or a community partner organization.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://www.vspvision.com/cms/vspglobal-outreach/gift-certificates.html" class="c-link__link">Learn more about Eyes of Hope </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Lions Clubs International</strong> offers help paying for eye care through its local clubs. Some clubs may also provide eyeglasses.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/start-our-approach/club-locator" class="c-link__link">Use the club locator to see what’s available in your area </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>New Eyes</strong> provides prescription eyeglasses to children and adults who can’t afford them. A social worker or someone at a community health center may be able help you apply.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://new-eyes.org/application/" class="c-link__link">Learn more about the New Eyes program </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Mission Cataract USA</strong> offers free cataract surgery to people of all ages who can’t afford it.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://missioncataractusa.org/doctors" class="c-link__link">Find a participating Mission Cataract USA eye doctor</a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Operation Sight</strong> helps people with low incomes get cataract surgery.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://ascrs.org/foundation/operation-sight/patient-inquiry" class="c-link__link">Find out if you qualify for Operation Sight </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p>The <strong>American Glaucoma Society</strong> helps people with low incomes or no insurance get glaucoma surgery through its AGS Cares program.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://www.americanglaucomasociety.net/patients/ags-cares" class="c-link__link">See if you qualify for AGS Cares </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p>The <strong>National Federation of the Blind</strong> provides free white canes for personal use.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/free-white-cane-program" class="c-link__link">Request a free white cane </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Prevent Blindness</strong> has a full list of organizations and services that provide financial help for vision care.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://preventblindness.org/vision-care-financial-assistance-information/" class="c-link__link">Explore resources from Prevent Blindness </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-18861">
|
||
<h3 class="c-section__heading">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
For older adults
|
||
|
||
|
||
</h3>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>EyeCare America</strong> offers free comprehensive eye exams — and up to 1 year of care — to people age 65 and older and to people at higher risk of glaucoma.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://secure.aao.org/Forms/ECAReferral" class="c-link__link">See if you qualify for EyeCare America </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-18866">
|
||
<h3 class="c-section__heading">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
For children
|
||
|
||
|
||
</h3>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>All Children See</strong> connects you with eye doctors that can provide a comprehensive eye exam. Children qualify for the program if they had a vision screening that caught an eye problem — or if they show vision problems. Note this program is only available in some states.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://www.childrenseyefoundation.org/webdev/what-we-do/all-children-see/all-children-see-patients" class="c-link__link">See if your child qualifies for All Children See </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>InfantSEE</strong> offers free eye assessments for babies ages 6 to 12 months. These assessments are done by an eye doctor and may catch problems that a regular vision check won’t.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://www.infantsee.org/find-a-doctor?sso=y" class="c-link__link">Find a local eye doctor in the InfantSEE program </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-18870">
|
||
<h2 class="c-section__heading">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
Health insurance and eye care
|
||
|
||
|
||
</h2>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-callout c-callout--wide c-callout--rounded" id="section-id-18868">
|
||
<figure class="c-callout__image">
|
||
<img src="https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2022-04/Get%20Free%20or%20Low-Cost%20Eye%20Care_2.jpg?itok=073Lhnm2" alt="Young female patient speaking with doctor, grateful for professional advice." />
|
||
</figure>
|
||
<div class="c-callout__content">
|
||
<h3 class="c-callout__heading">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
Ask questions
|
||
|
||
|
||
</h3>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p>To learn what eye care services your health insurance plan covers:</p><ul><li>Call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask about eye care coverage</li><li>Before your appointment, ask your eye doctor’s office how much your visit may cost and what you’ll have to pay</li></ul>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p>Under a law called the Affordable Care Act, many health insurance plans are required to cover the full cost of vision screenings for children and teens (up to age 19). Health insurance plans may also help cover the cost of eye care for eye diseases like cataracts, diabetic eye disease, and glaucoma.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-18874">
|
||
<h3 class="c-section__heading">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare
|
||
|
||
|
||
</h3>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)</strong> are government programs that offer free or low-cost health insurance for children in families with low incomes. Medicaid and CHIP cover the cost of vision care for children. Keep in mind that each state has different rules to qualify for these programs.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://www.insurekidsnow.gov/coverage/index.html" class="c-link__link">Learn more about Medicaid and CHIP </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Medicare</strong> is a government health insurance program for people age 65 and older and some people younger than age 65 with disabilities. It doesn’t cover routine eye exams or eyeglasses for most people, but it will help cover some eye care if you have:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/eye-exams-for-diabetes">Diabetes</a></li><li><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/macular-degeneration-tests-treatment">Age-related macular degeneration</a></li><li><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/glaucoma-tests">A high risk of glaucoma</a></li><li><a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/eyeglasses-contact-lenses">Cataracts</a></li></ul><p>Some Medicare Advantage plans may also offer vision coverage, so check out your plan for more details.</p><p>If you need help understanding your Medicare benefits or coverage, <a href="https://www.shiphelp.org/about-medicare/regional-ship-location">contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)</a>.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-18877">
|
||
<h3 class="c-section__heading">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
VA health care
|
||
|
||
|
||
</h3>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p>If you’re a Veteran or service member and qualify for health benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the VA will cover routine eye exams and preventive vision testing (like testing for glaucoma). You may also be able to get eyeglasses and other vision care you need covered through the VA.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/vision-care/" class="c-link__link">Learn more about VA vision care </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-18882">
|
||
<h3 class="c-section__heading">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
Other health insurance plans
|
||
|
||
|
||
</h3>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p>If you enrolled in a health insurance plan through the national Health Insurance Marketplace or a state Marketplace or Exchange, your plan covers free vision screenings for children and teens. Many private health insurance plans — like plans offered by your employer — offer free vision screenings for kids, too.</p><p>Before you go to the eye doctor, it’s a good idea to find out if a comprehensive eye exam is covered under your health insurance plan.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/get-dilated-eye-exam" class="c-link__link">Find out what you can expect from a comprehensive eye exam </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-text">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p>If you <strong>don’t have health insurance</strong>, you may be able to find an affordable plan through the national Health Insurance Marketplace or your state’s marketplace or exchange.</p>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="c-link">
|
||
|
||
<a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/" class="c-link__link">Explore your options </a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</article>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<p class="views-element-container c-last-updated" id="block-views-block-nei-last-updated-block-1"><strong>Last updated:</strong> December 10, 2024</p>
|
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|
||
|
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</div>
|
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<aside class="r-sidebar" role="complementary">
|
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|
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<div class="views-element-container" id="block-views-block-nei-sidebar-block-1">
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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<div>
|
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<div class="js-view-dom-id-bf15483ae4a4c91e9d877a12a97008f853049225862f59191838d81fb1db3a9c nei-sidebar">
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
||
|
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|
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|
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<div class="views-row">
|
||
</div>
|
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|
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|
||
|
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|
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|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
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|
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|
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</div>
|
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|
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|
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</aside>
|
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</div>
|
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</main>
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|
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<div class="r-footer">
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<footer class="o-footer" role="contentinfo">
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<div class="o-footer__group o-footer__group--logo"><a class="o-logo__link" href="/" rel="home" title="Home"><span class="o-logo__text">National Eye Institute</span></a>
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