Seniors, contact program for free eye exam

Dear Heloise: Seniors can maintain their independence with a free medical eye exam! In addition to making it possible to enjoy things such as reading, gardening and golfing, good eye health influences many other aspects of life, including the ability to live independently as one ages.
A recent study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston even found that impaired vision may speed older adults' mental decline. While the exact reason for this link is unclear, researchers believe that it has to do with the fact that poor close-range vision might limit older adults' activities and hence contribute to cognitive decline.
By age 65, one in three Americans has some form of vision-impairing eye disease. Many people assume that poor sight is a natural part of growing older; while certain eye problems are associated with growing older, failing sight doesn't have to be. Most eye diseases are treatable, especially if caught early. That's why annual dilated eye exams are so important in helping seniors preserve their sight. Cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration are the most common eye diseases for those 65 and older.
This year, I would like to encourage people to contact EyeCare America's Seniors EyeCare Program and get a free eye exam for a friend or family member or even themselves.
EyeCare America's Seniors EyeCare Program helps to ensure that all eligible seniors (U.S. citizens or legal residents 65 or older who have not seen an ophthalmologist in the past three years and do not belong to an HMO or the VA) have access to free medical eye care. People eligible for a referral through the program receive a medical eye exam and up to one year of treatment -- at no out-of-pocket cost. EyeCare America's 7,500 volunteer ophthalmologists across the U.S. accept Medicare and/or other insurance reimbursement as payment in full.
To learn more about EyeCare America's public-service programs or to see if you, a family member or a friend qualifies for a free eye exam, call (800) 222-EYES (3937) or visit www.eyecareamerica.org.
Thanks in advance for helping us support our senior communities. -- B. Thomas Hutchinson, M.D., ophthalmologist and chairman of EyeCare America
Thanks to your wonderful organization for all it does. As someone who was born with severely crossed eyes and lucky enough to have had several operations to correct them, I'm here to tell you folks, take care of your vision! Heloise
Dear Heloise: My daughter, Suzanne, delighted me with a combination holiday and birthday (mine is Dec. 26) gift. Reasoning that at my age I probably didn't need any more "stuff," she contacted my local utility company and arranged to have my utility bills paid for six weeks. That took care of heat, electricity and water.
It is an excellent gift and one I thought to be very clever. Claire Farrer, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Dear Heloise: A useful hint for cell-phone users who may lose electricity at home once in a while: Have a car charger handy so you can still use the cell phone by charging it in your car. Norma in Maryland
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate