New feature of Academy’s EyeSmart ™ campaign allows consumers to submit eye health questions to ophthalmologists

SAN FRANCISCO—As part of its EyeSmart™ campaign to empower Americans to take charge of their eye health, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) has launched “Ask an Eye M.D.,” a new online service through which the public can submit questions about their eyes to a panel of ophthalmologists. A number of questions will be selected for answers from among those submitted, with the responses posted online.  

“The Ask an Eye M.D.™  service will supplement the rich supply of educational information already available on the EyeSmart™ Web site,” said H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, executive vice president of the Academy. “Our hope is that the service will educate the public about eye health issues, so that people can know their risks and save their sight. As a matter of course, people should always contact their own Eye M.D. for medical advice about their eye health.”

Answers to selected questions will be posted online on an ongoing basis. In addition to answers to recently submitted questions, all answers posted on “Ask an Eye M.D.” will be available in a searchable archive. Due to the volume of questions, it is not possible to answer all questions submitted.

The EyeSmart™ campaign is sponsored by the Academy in partnership with EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In addition, more than 80 state, local and specialty ophthalmology societies are lending their support to the campaign.

To submit a question online to “Ask an Eye M.D.” or for more information about eye health, visit www.geteyesmart.org

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons—Eye M.D.s—with more than 27,000 members worldwide.  Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.

About EyeCare America
Established in 1985, EyeCare America, the public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is committed to the preservation of sight, accomplishing its mission through public service and education.  EyeCare America provides eye care services to the medically underserved and for those at increased risk for eye disease through its corps of 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists dedicated to serving their communities.  More than 90 percent of the care made available is provided at no out-of-pocket cost to the patients.  EyeCare America includes programs for seniors, glaucoma, diabetes, AMD and children, and is the largest program of its kind in American medicine.  Since its inception, EyeCare America has helped more than 1 million people.  EyeCare America is a non-profit program whose success is made possible through charitable contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.  More information can be found at: www.eyecareamerica.org