NOTICE

We are proud to announce that as of June 1, 2009 the Camden Eye Center, Inc. will be known as South Jersey Eye Center, Inc.

The name change is due to the significantly wider reach of our patient care activities toinclude residents of Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties. By acknowledging ourselves as South Jersey Eye Center, we also are able to more successfully describe our organization to those who are unfamiliar with the strength and diversity of our programs and partners who are spread throughout the region.

The South Jersey Eye Center will continue to operate out of its current location at 400 Chambers Avenue in the heart of Camden City, where we have built a tradition of excellence in eye care for almost 50 years.

We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank you for your continued support of the Camden Eye Center /South Jersey Eye Center and hope that this change will reflect a fruitful and positive future for our organization working in the communites we serve.

South Jersey Eye Center Provides Free Glaucoma Screenings in January

In observance of National Glaucoma Awareness Month, the South Jersey Eye Center is partnering with the Camden County Health Department and the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus in providing free glaucoma screenings in Camden County throughout the month of January.

The free glaucoma screenings will be provided at the South Jersey Eye Center, 400 Chambers Avenue in Camden every Friday afternoon in January from 1 to 3pm and Tuesday, January 19 and Wednesday, January 20 from 1 to 3pm at the South Jersey Eye Center at the Heights of Collingswood, White Horse Pike and Browning Road in West Collingswood. Although the testing will only take a few minutes, appointments should be made in advance by calling (856) 365-1811 or (856) 869-8702.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Everyone, from infants to seniors is vulnerable. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African-American and Hispanic populations. Over 3 million Americans, and nearly 70 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular comprehensive eye examinations to preserve vision.

Glaucoma begins with an increase in eye pressure within the eye which, if is undetected or untreated for a period of time, will cause damage to the optic nerve that transmits visual impulses to the brain. This increase in intraocular pressure is only detected during the course of a routine comprehensive eye examination.

Like many diseases, some risk factors can increase the possibility of developing glaucoma, such as age, race or genetics.  Glaucoma usually affects one in 200 people by age 50, but as many as one in 10 people by age 80. The risk of developing glaucoma is four to five higher among African Americans. In fact, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in African Americans. Not only do African Americans usually develop glaucoma 10 years earlier than Caucasians, but they are also six to fifteen times more likely to be blinded by the disease.

Governor Corzine Proclaims August as Children’s Vision Month

South Jersey Eye Center Offers 100 Free Examinations

In preparation of children heading back into the classroom in September, NJ Governor Jon Corzine has proclaimed August to be Children’s Vision Month.

Dr. Harvey Richman, President of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians reminded the Governor of the critical relationship between eye health and success at school.  The South Jersey Eye Center – in observance of Children’s Vision Month – is offering free examinations and glasses to 100 children whose parents schedule an appointment during August.

In asking for the observance, Dr. Richman shared the following facts with Governor Corzine:

“There are no strings attached,” said Dr. Lawrence Ragone, President of the South Jersey Eye Center. “We want children to succeed and we’ll do our part to make that happen.” To schedule an appointment, please call (856) 365-1569.

World’s Largest Service Organization, Lions Clubs International, Joins President’s United We Serve Initiative

August 10, 2009, Camden, New Jersey – Forty-four percent of the city’s roughly 80,000 residents live in poverty and cannot afford proper eye care. Of major significance is the fact that 39% of the population is Hispanic and 53% are African American, the two ethnicities that carry a higher burden of eye diseases that result in blindness if left untreated.

To address this problem, Lions Clubs members in New Jersey are partnering with the South Jersey Eye Center and host five days of free vision screenings to the most vulnerable populations in Camden City.  In addition to the screenings, Lions will provide follow-up care and treatment to those at-risk of vision impairment due to refractive errors, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Lions will use their Mobile Vision Clinic for outreach to these groups. Outreach efforts will include:

• August 10th   1 – 4 pm:  Northgate II –Adults and seniors will be screened for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and refractive errors.
• August 11th  10am – 2pm:  Hope Community Outreach - Screenings and education to identify eye health and vision problems like uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia (lazy eye).
• August 11th  3pm – 5pm:  Cathedral Kitchen - Free examinations and education to evaluate and treat eye diseases for homeless, a population has a high incidence of diabetes and consequently is very vulnerable to diabetic retinopathy.
• August 12th  10am – 1pm:  Neighborhood Center – eye health and vision screenings for children from underserved Camden City families.
• August 13th  10am – 1pm:  Hispanic Family Center - Education and eye health screenings with the use of interpreters and clinical staff.
• August 14th  10am – 12 pm: Woodland Avenue Presbyterian Church – Eye health, vision screenings and education for all ages.

This event is part of a larger goal of Lions clubs members worldwide to provide preventative and sight-restoring eye health care and is being funded in part by Lions Clubs International Foundation.

Last year, the average Lions club provided 739 volunteer service hours to the community. This represents an estimated worldwide total of 33 million volunteer service hours provided by Lions. Additionally, the average Lions club donated $13,375 to charitable causes, representing an estimated total of $601 million donated by Lions worldwide.

“Lions clubs members around the world have long been dedicated to serving their community through humanitarian service programs that improve the health and well-being of fellow community members. Through funding from Lions Clubs International Foundation, Lions in the U.S. are organizing a number of events as part of Untied We Serve Health Week, including preventative and sight-saving eye health programs,” said Albert F. Brandel, President of Lions Clubs International.

Across the country Lions are holding vision and health screenings and education campaigns during United We Serve Health Week, August 6-10. Led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives and strengthens communities through volunteering and service, United We Serve is a public call for community service during an initial 81-day service initiative that concludes September 11, 2009, which will be marked for the first time as a national day of service and remembrance.

“This summer, I'm calling on all of you to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation,” said President Obama in a United We Serve video.  “Economic recovery is as much about what you're doing in your communities as what we're doing in Washington – and it’s going to take all of us, working together.”

United We Serve focuses on five key areas where everyone can have a real impact in their community: education; health; energy and the environment; community renewal; and safety and security.

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Lions Clubs International Foundation is the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service club organization with nearly 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 Lions clubs in 205 countries and geographical areas around the world. Lions Clubs members meet the needs of their local and global communities through humanitarian service. Since it was founded in 1968, Lions Clubs International Foundation has awarded more than 9,300 grants totaling more than $660 million dollars.

Free Eye Examinations and Glasses to 100 Children

As The Camden Eye Center Celebrates May as “Healthy Vision Month”

Camden, NJ….  Don’t let another day pass if you suspect your child isn’t seeing properly.  In observance of Healthy Vision Month, the Camden Eye Center is offering free examinations and glasses to 100 children who come in for an eye health screening.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) has deemed May to be Healthy Vision Month, a national eye health observance devoted to promoting the vision objectives in Healthy People 2010.  Healthy People 2010 is a set of health objectives for the Nation to achieve over the first decade of the new century.

The special focus this year is to reduce uncorrected visual impairment due to refractive errors, which are vision disorders that occur when the eye doesn’t correctly bend or “refract” light as it enters the eye.  According to a recent survey of the NEI, more than 11 million Americans have uncorrected refractive errors.

“There’s no reason for any child to suffer when treatment is readily available,” says Dr. Lawrence A. Ragone.  “Refractive errors are one of the most common and correctable vision problems.”

The Camden Eye Center, through the Sight First for Kids (SFFK) Program, gives children from underserved, low income and uninsured families in South Jersey a comprehensive eye screening. The Sight First for Kids Program is made possible through the generous funding of various corporate and government sponsors. Approximately 4,500 children up to the age of 18 are helped annually through SFFK.

Make your child’s vision a priority. Studies show that more than 80% of learning is based on vision and that good eye health is essential for proper physical development. Schedule an appointment today by calling (856) 365-1569.

From AOA (American Optometric Association) News:

New Jersey: Camden Eye Center, Mobile Sight Saving and Eye Health Education Program

The Camden Eye Center’s Mobile Sight Saving and Eye Health Education Program was a great success last year.  “We were able to bring important eye health services to over 600 adults and children at risk for vision impairment due to refractive errors and glaucoma,” explains Dr. Lawrence A. Ragone, President and CEO of the Camden Eye Center.  He credits the generous support the program has received, including a $5,000 grant from the Healthy Eyes Healthy People committee of the American Optometric Association.  Other funders include New Eyes for the Needy, the City of Camden, the International Association of Lions Clubs of District 16C, the Jay Frank Parmly Trust, and the Camden Eye Center.

The goal of the Mobile Sight Saving and Eye Health Education Program was to bring vital refractive and glaucoma screenings and follow-up services to ethnic and diverse populations in Camden City, New Jersey, which has been ranked by the U.S. Census Bureau as the 4th poorest city in the nation.  Since these populations are often without the luxury of transportation, the Camden Eye Center reaches out to them via their 34-foot Mobile Vision Clinic.  Specifically targeted in this initiative were African American and Hispanic populations, who comprise the majority of the City’s poor, uninsured, underinsured, homeless, and non-English speaking citizens.

They key message the Camden Eye Center wanted to convey to the citizens of Camden was the importance of regular eye care.  The first step was to distribute information to organizations that could link needy residents with this free program. All too often, a fear and mistrust exists in urban populations and residents shy away from services, believing that strings are attached.  With help from the Camden County Office for Hispanic Affairs as well as the Camden City Mayor’s Office, The Camden Eye Center distributed enrollment information (in English and Spanish) about the Mobile Sight Saving and Eye Health Education Program to approximately 100 Hispanic and African American churches and organizations.

“We made significant progress in communicating our mission and scheduled visits to 25 churches and organizations, which began in May and ended in December of 2008,” says Ragone.  “Of the 600 people who were screened, 300 received comprehensive follow-up examinations, and about 200 were provided with prescription eye wear and glaucoma treatment services.”

Through the collaborative efforts of the Mobile Vision Clinic driver, a professional consultant, a clerk, an ophthalmic technician, and one Spanish speaking staff member, these three-hour long site visits brought great results at all locations.  People who would otherwise not be able to afford an eye examination and prescription eyewear were able to receive these vital eye care services.  The Camden Eye Center was proud to facilitate these screenings and dispense eye wear to needy children and adults and markedly enhance their quality of life.

The Camden Eye Center plans to grow the Mobile Sight Saving and Eye Health Education Program and reach even more residents in 2009. The goal is to make 30 site visits and reach at least 700 citizens.  “We hope to create an awareness that this program is here for the people of Camden,” says Ragone.  “We want to empower them through good eye health, which leads to better productivity and more meaningful lives.”

The Camden Eye Center is the only free-standing not for profit facility in New Jersey completely dedicated to providing free and low cost eye care services for the poor, working poor, uninsured and underinsured families in Camden City and surrounding areas.  For more information, visit www.camdeneye.com.

Valero Contributes $15,000 towards Sight First For Kids

In January, Valero Refining Company presented the Camden Eye Center a check for $15,000 towards the Sight First For Kids Program at their Annual Awards Breakfast in Paulsboro. The Camden Eye Center has been a beneficiary of The Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children Golf Classic for the past 4 years.

Baxter International Foundation Contributes to the Camden Eye Center's Low Vision Program

Members of the Baxter Cherry Hill Global Citizens Committee presented the Camden Eye Center with a $35,000 grant from the Baxter International Foundation to provide vital eye care programs for persons with low or impaired vision in the Camden County area. Pictured (left to right): Barbara Pugliese (Baxter Global Citizens Chairperson), Stephanie Selah, Darlene Grennon, Marge Hanlon, Ann Lynne Benson, Marie Fitzpatrick, Fran Gower, MaryAnn Ragone(COO, Camden Eye Center) and Jennifer Grace (Baxter Global Citizens & member of Camden Eye Center Board of Directors).

Camden Eye Center featured in Subaru Drive Magazine

click photo for article

Thank you Subaru and the Subaru Foundation for your continued support of the Camden Eye Center's Sight First For Kids Program.

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