Find resources: Find an Eye Doctor, Find a Low Vision Specialist, Rehabilitation Services, Financial Help, and Internet Accessibility for the Visually Impaired and Website Designers.
Find an Eye Doctor:
American Optometric Association via the Bright Focus website: Select zip code to search. http://www.brightfocus.org/find-optometrist
American Academy of Ophthalmologists, The Eye MD Association https://secure.aao.org/aao/find-ophthalmologist
WebMD website, Find a Doctor, Physicians Directory You can find eye care groups and MD’s by specialty http://doctor.webmd.com/
Find A Doctor website https://www.findadoctor.com/ Optometrists and Ophthalmologists can be found by city or zip code.
Find a Low Vision Specialist
*The Vision Council You can type in a zip code or address, the distance you are willing to travel (radius), and a map and names of specialists will appear.
* National Council of State Agencies for the Blind NCSAB Directory http://www.ncsab.org/List/StateDirectors
This is a very easy access to the contact information of your state’s department for low vision services / rehabilitation serves. Just click on your state’s two letter abbreviation and the listing comes up.
Rehabilitation Services
* American Optometric Association via the Bright Focus website, www.brightfocus.org.
Find an Optometrist. Select for Rehabilitation services (at the bottom), for a selected zip code.
* Lions Club
Lions Clubs are community-based, volunteer service organizations. The Lions are Helen Keller’s “Knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” The Lions Clubs have numerous programs in support of vision, hearing, heath, and youth services. Individual clubs may vary in their focus. There are Lions Club Low Vision Centers and low vision centers supported by the Lions, which offer education and rehabilitative services. Check with your local Lions Club or check the previously mentioned AFB Directory of Services webpage for your state.
Financial Help
* Benefits.gov Your Path to Government Benefits govbenefits.gov/
This website has a questionnaire format calculator to guide you in determining if you are eligible for government benefits. There is an easy to follow questionnaire.
* Social Security Administration https://www.ssa.gov/disability/
This website has a Benefits Eligibility Tool if you are thinking about applying for Social Security benefits. This site has information on applying for benefits and the forms needed. There are also phone numbers to call to apply.
* EyeCare America On line referral webpage: www.eyecareamerica.org/
EyeCare America is the public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmologists. This is the online referral site for free eye exams by volunteers. There is an online questionnaire to determine eligibility.
* Optometry Cares; The AOA Foundation www.optometryscharity.org/vision-usa/ >>Vision USA
Optometry Cares Foundation. Through the foundation those who qualify as low-income can get free eye exams. In order to access Vision USA services, an online application must be submitted on your behalf by a social worker, charitable organization, or agency.
* New Eyes for the Needy www.new-eyes.org/>>Apply for a Voucher
This is a national organization that is able to help low-income individuals get free eyeglasses. The applicant must have a recent eyeglass prescription. A voucher must be applied for on your behalf by a social services agency or a school nurse. The voucher can then be used on New Eyes’ online eyeglasses dispenser at neweyesglasses.org. The organization does not help with eye examinations.
*OneSight is a an independent nonprofit committed to eradicating the global vision care crisis. The following is from their website:
Through OneSight’s OnSite Voucher Program, eligible patients can receive glasses free of charge. The patient should:
- Have their visual and financial need verified by a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (such as a school, church, Lions Club, Prevent Blindness, Red Cross, or United Way).
- Obtain a referral letter from the nonprofit (letter should be on company letterhead and include the Tax ID# for the nonprofit).
- Take the referral letter issued by the nonprofit as well as a valid prescription to a participating Luxottica Retail Location (LensCrafters, Target Optical, Sears Optical or Pearle Vision corporate store) to receive a pair of glasses at no charge.
- If the patient does not already have a valid prescription (one that is less than 2 years old) he or she can ask if the onsite doctor at the optical retailer is able to donate an eye exam or they can reach out to Prevent Blindness for assistance.
Internet Accessibility for the Visually Impaired and Website Designers
My Vision dot org Improve Internet Accessibility for Individuals with Impaired Vision
For Students with Disabilities
* Intelligent College Planning Guide for Students with Learning Disabilities