III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 557 

Commending EyeCare America for its volunteerism and efforts to preserve 

eyesight throughout the previous 25 years. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 16, 2010 

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska (for himself and Mr. ISAKSON) submitted the 

following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Commending EyeCare America for its volunteerism and 

efforts to preserve eyesight throughout the previous 25 years. 

Whereas, according to the National Eye Institute, in public 

opinion polls, Americans— 

(1) have consistently identified the fear of vision loss 

as second only to the fear of developing cancer; and 

(2) have stated that the loss of vision would have the 

greatest impact on their lives; 

Whereas the National Eye Institute estimates that more than 

11,000,000 people in the United States have common vision problems; 

Whereas, according to the National Eye Institute, approximately 35,000,000 people in the United States experience 

an age-related eye disease, including age-related macular 

degeneration (the leading cause of vision loss in older 


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•SRES 557 ATS 

people of the United States), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts; 

Whereas, according to the National Eye Institute, the number of people in the United States who experience an agerelated eye disease is expected to grow to 50,000,000 by 

2020; 

Whereas, according to the National Eye Institute, the Hispanic and African-American populations experience a disproportionate incidence of glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy; 

Whereas, according to the National Eye Institute, diabetic 

retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in individuals of all races between the ages of 25 and 74; 

Whereas vision impairment and eye disease are major public 

health issues, especially as 2010 begins the decade in 

which, according to the Census Bureau, more than 1⁄2 of 

the 78,000,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65 and be at 

greatest risk for developing an age-related eye disease; 

Whereas much can be done to preserve eyesight with early 

detection and treatment; 

Whereas EyeCare America, the public service program of the 

Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 

works to ensure that eye health is not neglected by 

matching eligible patients with 1 of nearly 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists across the United States committed 

to preventing unnecessary blindness in their communities; 

Whereas the volunteer ophthalmologists provide eye exams 

and eyecare for up to 1 year at no out-of-pocket cost to 

the patient, and seniors who do not have insurance receive the care at no charge; 


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•SRES 557 ATS 

Whereas individuals may call EyeCare America toll-free at 1- 

800-222-EYES (3937) to see if they are eligible to be referred to a volunteer ophthalmologist throughout the 

United States; and 

Whereas EyeCare America has helped more than 1,000,000 

people since the inception of the organization in 1985 

and is the largest public service program of its kind in 

United States medicine as of the date of agreement to 

this resolution: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate commends EyeCare Amer2 ica for its volunteerism and efforts to preserve eyesight 

3 throughout the 25 years preceding the date of agreement 

4 to this resolution. 

Æ 


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