Recent News

---

Publisher: The Post and Courier
01/19/2010

ReFocus, a new program of the Association for the Blind, offers free eye exams and glasses to underserved and uninsured community members at homeless shelters, free medical clinics and other tri-county area outreach agencies.

The first clinic will be Friday at the Palmetto House in Summerville and will serve 30 clients.

Routine eye exams are not covered by medical insurance, Medicare or Medicaid despite the fact that early detection of eye disease plays an important role in determining treatment options as well as in potentially preventing blindness.

Clients needing follow-up services will be treated by ophthalmologists for free.

Optician Donnie Anderson of Outer Vision and optometrist Dr. Mason Smith, who is a member of the Association for the Blind Board of Directors, will volunteer at the clinic.

The ReFocus program is sponsored by the Coastal Community Foundation and Rotary Club of Charleston.

"This program has had a huge impact on our community," said Nicole Harvey, marketing/program director for the association.

"Many participants have not had an eye exam in 10 years or more because they can't afford it and often don't have transportation to get to a doctor. One man told us he couldn't tell if he was seeing right or not before receiving his glasses, and now he feels like he's watching high-definition television."

ReFocus is an expansion of a pilot program that began in 2009 with a Coastal Community Foundation grant to the association for eye care among uninsured or underinsured residents.

The Association for the Blind is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for the visually impaired through services, programs and advocacy.

Visit www.aftbsc.orgor contact Harvey at 723-6915 or nharvey@aftbsc.org.

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/19/association-to-offer-free-eye-exams/