News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(03/2006)

Wills Eye Sponsors 27th Annual Eye Screening

The 27th Annual Free Public Eye Screening will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon at Wills Eye, 840 Walnut Street in Center City, Philadelphia.

Adults and children age three and over are invited to participate. Senior citizens are strongly urged to take advantage of the screening because they are at a high risk for cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, which is a disease affecting central vision.

Every year, physicians on the Wills Medical Staff donate their time to the event. Initially, a Wills ophthalmic technician checks each participant’s vision. Once this is completed, a staff physician checks for other potential eye problems including a pressure measurement for glaucoma. Last year, more than 180 people were screened with some being diagnosed with eye problems ranging from the need for a change in eyeglass prescriptions to more serious conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

As a public service to the Wills community, members of the Liberty Bell Chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of America and Canada, which is a volunteer organization of Verizon, donate their time to register and direct participants through the process.

Screening participants will be seen by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call 215-928-EYES (215-928-3937) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. now through May 12. No appointments will be taken the day of the screening. Parking will be available in the Walnut Towers Parking Garage located on the corner of 9th & Walnut Streets.