The following organizations have programs specific to diabetic eye health. Click on the bold titles for further information.
PATIENT GROUPS
Prevent Blindness America
Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. PBA offers community screenings, educational brochures and helps fund research. PBA is the founder of Diabetes Eye Awareness Month in November.
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy.
- November Diabetes Awareness Month - Each November, the American Diabetes Association conducts its annual month-long campaign to inform people about diabetes and to increase awareness of the American Diabetes Association's programs.
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International (JDRF)
JDRF is the world's leading nonprofit, nongovernmental funder of diabetes research. JDRF's mission is to prevent and cure Type I diabetes and its complications through the support of research, and in FY 2001 JDRF committed $115 million to diabetes research. JDRF welcomes research applications in the area of diabetic retinopathy. For further information, please refer to our website.
Lions Clubs International
Recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired, LCI is the world's largest service club organization.
- Lions Diabetes Program
An educational outreach program that enables Lions Clubs to have a major impact in their communities in the fight against diabetes and diabetic eye disease.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting and improving the health and safety of the people of the United States - and serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities.
- Take Charge of Your Diabetes
A brochure to help people take important steps to prevent problems caused by diabetes, teach how to work with a health care team to prevent problems, explain the importance of getting blood glucose closer to normal and a how-to-find resources in your community to help prevent problems.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) - formerly known as HCFA - provides health insurance for over 74 million Americans through Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP. In addition to providing health insurance, CMS also performs a number of quality-focused activities, including regulation of laboratory testing (CLIA), development of coverage policies, and quality-of-care improvement.
- National Diabetes Eye Exam Program
You may qualify for a free comprehensive eye exam. CMS in collaboration with the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Optometric Association (AOA) have initiated this program for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes to encourage them to get their eyes examined. Under the initiative, beneficiaries age 65 and older who have diabetes and haven't had a medical eye exam in the past three years, will be matched with a volunteer ophthalmologist or optometrist in their area to receive a free comprehensive eye exam and up to one year of follow-up care for any condition diagnosed at the initial exam.
National Eye Institute
The National Eye Institute (NEI), one of the Federal government's National Institutes of Health, is dedicated to addressing public health problems through programs of biomedical research, disease prevention, and health promotion.
- National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP)
In 1991, NEI established this program which coordinates in partnership with a variety of public and private organizations that conduct eye health education programs. The focus is on public and professional education programs that encourage early detection and timely treatment of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease and the appropriate treatment for low vision.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the largest national membership association of ophthalmologists - the medical eye physicians and surgeons who provide comprehensive eye care.
- Find an Eye MD
AAO offers an on-line listing of member ophthalmologists practicing in the United States and abroad.
American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association (AOA), founded in 1898, represents more than 32,000 doctors of optometry, students of optometry and paraoptometric assistants and technicians in more than 6,600 communities across the country and in foreign countries dedicated to providing the highest quality eye care. For help finding an optometrist near you, call 1-800-262-3947.
This web resource is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Eli Lilly and Company.
Copyright © 2005 Prevent Blindness America ®
|
