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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 557 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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 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 age-related 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;
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
    Resolved, That the Senate commends EyeCare America for its 
volunteerism and efforts to preserve eyesight throughout the 25 years 
preceding the date of agreement to this resolution.
                                 <all>
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