Organizations & Associations for care & benefit of patients with aging eye diseases & low vision
Eye Care Associations
American Academy of Ophthalmology
P.O. Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120-7424
(415) 561-8500
http://www.aao.org
• Represents board-certified ophthalmologists in the United States.
Offers public information materials and clinical education programs in a
variety of formats. Coordinates the National Eye Care Project, a program
to provide free or low-cost eye exams for people over age 65
(1-800-222-EYES).
Find an Eye MD
• Search the American Academy of Ophthalmology members directory to find a
board-certified, licenced ophthalmologist in your area.
American Optometric Association
243 N. Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 991-4100
AmOptCCC@aol.com
http://www.aoanet.org
• Represents optometrists in the United States. Provides brochures on
eye problems for the lay public and professional materials on eye care
delivery. Coordinates VISION USA, a program to provide free eye care to
uninsured, low-income workers and their families.
General Organizations
American Council of the Blind
1155 15th Street, NW, Suite 1004
Washington, DC 20005
1-800-424-8666
(202) 467-5081
info@acb.org
http://www.acb.org
• Serves as a national clearinghouse on blindness issues for
individuals, organizations, and institutions. Provides an information
and referral service on Federal legislation, administrative action, and
rule making on national and state levels. Offers group insurance plans,
coordinates class action litigation, and educates the public about
blindness and the abilities of visually impaired people.
American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
1-800-232-5463
(212) 502-7600
afbinfo@afb.org
http://www.afb.org
Regional Offices:
Chicago, IL (312) 245-9961
Dallas, TX (214) 352-7222
Atlanta, GA (404) 525-2303
New York, NY (212) 502-7657
San Francisco, CA (415) 392-4845
Washington, DC (202) 457-1487
• Provides consultation to schools, agencies, and organizations. Gives
technical assistance through the staff at regional service centers.
Records and manufactures talking books. Publishes books, pamphlets, and
periodicals. Adapts and evaluates devices to help blind and visually
impaired people live and work independently. Conducts social research on
visual impairment and blindness.
Lighthouse International
111 E. 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
1-800-829-0500
(212) 821-9200
(212) 821-9713 (TDD)
info@lighthouse.org
http://www.lighthouse.org
• Serves as a national clearinghouse for information on vision
impairment across the life span and services available nationwide.
Offers a comprehensive selection of education products, large print
materials, talking products, and related specialty items for people with
visual impairments. Adaptive devices are available through catalog
sales.
Lions Clubs International
300 22nd Street
Oak Brook, IL 60521-8842
(630) 571-5466
lions@lionsclubs.org
http://www.lionsclubs.org
• Provides financial assistance for eye care to individuals through
local clubs. Coordinates sight conservation activities. (Note: There are
Lions Clubs in most localities, and services vary from club to club.
Check your telephone book for the address and telephone number of your
local club.)
National Association for Visually Handicapped
22 W. 21st Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10010
(212) 889-3141
http://www.navh.org
• Serves as a clearinghouse for information about all services available
to the partially-sighted from public and private sources. Conducts self-
help groups. Provides information on large print books, textbooks, and
educational tools.
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314
1-800-638-7518 - Job Opportunities
http://www.nfb.org
• Represents the largest membership of blind people in the nation.
Provides a wide variety of services to visually impaired people
including job placement. Publishes the Braille Monitor and Future
Reflections. Distributes a catalog of publications available in large
print, Braille, or audiocassette, and a catalog of aids and appliances.
Prevent Blindness America
500 E. Remington Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
1-800-331-2020
(847) 843-2020
http://www.preventblindness.org
• Produces educational materials that address the special needs of
senior citizens, agriculture and industrial workers, school teachers and
children, nurses, and doctors. Offers guidance regarding current
available treatments, eye care facilities and programs, and current eye
research findings through the National Center for Sight. Administers a
research program to provide small start- up grants to young scientists.
Resources for Rehabilitation
33 Bedford Street, Suite 19A
Lexington, MA 02420
1-800-621-0026
(781) 862-6455
• Provides training and information to professionals who serve
individuals with vision loss and other disabilities. Publishes a variety
of resource guides on coping with visual impairment.
Visual Treat
