Visual Impairment is a Significant Cause for Loss of Independence in Older Adults
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Dear PSA Director,
This July, as we celebrate our country’s independence, I hope you will invite your audience to think of those in their lives who may be losing their own independence due to vision impairment. One in six people age sixty-five or older has a vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Visual impairment is a significant cause for loss of independence in older adults, and if not treated appropriately, can also lead to falls, injuries, depression and social isolation.
To help prevent these risks, older Americans should get an eye exam every one to two years, but all too often people wait to make an eye appointment until they have already lost some of their vision. Many times, they waited due to limited insurance or because they could not afford the co-pay.
Fortunately, EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is here to help. With more than 6,000 volunteer ophthalmologists across the country, EyeCare America provides medical eye exams and up to one year of care at no out-of-pocket costs, and has helped more than 1.8 million people since its inception in 1985.
Please help save your listeners’ sight and protect their independence by placing this PSA in heavy rotation between now and Thursday, July 31, 2014.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Dayle Kern
American Academy of Ophthalmology
:30 SCRIPT
BY AGE SIXTY-FIVE, ONE IN SIX AMERICANS HAS A VISION IMPAIRMENT THAT CANNOT BE CORRECTED WITH GLASSES OR CONTACTS. IF LEFT UNTREATED, THIS CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF INDEPENDENCE, INJURY AND DEPRESSION. EYECARE AMERICA HELPS OLDER AMERICANS GET MEDICAL EYE CARE AT NO OUT-OF-POCKET COST. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OR OLDER AND HAVEN’T SEEN AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST IN THREE YEARS, VISIT WWW.EYECAREAMERICA.ORG TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY. THAT’S E-Y-E-CAREAMERICA.ORG.