Optometrists Provide Free Eye Care

WEST HARTFORD — The Connecticut Association of Optometrists is looking for low-income workers and their families who may qualify for free eye care through a program called Vision USA. Approximately 100 optometrists in Connecticut donate their time and professional services to Vision USA each year.

To qualify for a free comprehensive eye examination, a person must have a job or live in a household in which at least one member is working part-time or full-time, have no health insurance that covers eye exams, meet certain income criteria based on household size, and not have had an eye exam at a doctor’s office within the last two years. The eye exams are given in the offices of participating optometrists through March 2001.

The Vision USA program is sponsored by the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Connecticut Association of Optometrists.

Applicants can be screened for eligibility in any of three ways: by mail, online, or by telephone. Mail-in applications are now being accepted and must be postmarked by January 22. Through January information and an application form are available on the Internet at www.aoanet.org in the Meet the AOA section under the Vision USA icon. During January applicants may apply by phone using the toll-free number 800/766-4466. Lines are open weekdays from 6 am to 8 pm.