Make a Resolution for Healthy Vision !

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. People are often unaware that glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages.
If detected early, before noticeable vision loss occurs, glaucoma can usually be controlled and severe vision loss can often be prevented. Vision that is lost from glaucoma cannot be restored.

Anyone can get glaucoma, but those at higher risk include:
• African Americans over age 40
• Everyone over age 60, especially Hispanics/Latinos
• People with a family history of the disease

What can you do to care for your eyes?
• Get a dilated eye exam every 1-2 years
• Ask your family members if there is a history of Glaucoma in the family
• Seek medical attention immediately with any change in vision

Medicare Benefit for Eye Health
Medicare provides a benefit to help pay for comprehensive dilated eye exams for people with diabetes and those who are at higher risk for glaucoma. Specifically, Medicare will cover 80 percent of the doctor’s examination fee; the patient or his/her secondary insurance must pick up the deductible and the remaining 20 percent balance. Medicare does not cover routine eye care.

People with Medicare who are eligible for this benefit include the following:
• African Americans aged 50 or older
• Hispanics aged 65 or older
• People with a family history of glaucoma
• People with diabetes

Contact your eye doctor to make an appointment and find out more about this Medicare benefit.