[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 16, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S4995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 557--COMMENDING EYECARE AMERICA FOR ITS VOLUNTEERISM 
   AND EFFORTS TO PRESERVE EYESIGHT THROUGHOUT THE PREVIOUS 25 YEARS

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska (for himself and Mr. Isakson) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 557

       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.

                          ____________________