For thousands of men, women, and children in our region, impaired or low-vision is a serious health problem affecting all aspects of life. Poor vision makes simple tasks nearly impossible – reading, reaching, driving, and walking can be difficult and even dangerous. Without corrective treatment, these individuals lose their ability to see clearly.At the Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI), providing our community with life-improving eye care regardless of their ability to pay is the underlying drive that fuels our personal care and innovative research. Without DMEI, many at-risk individuals would be unable to access vital eye care.How are we able to deliver our services to anyone in our community? The answer is simple — it’s the spirit of giving in our donors.
Patient Financial Assistance Program
Through the generosity of our donors, we’re able to maintain the Patient Financial Assistance Program (PFAP). The program helps supplement treatment and appointment costs, making it easy for patients to cover costs or arrange reasonable, affordable payment plans. Put simply, it makes it possible for many to receive the care they need to save their vision.“During this time of year we are keenly aware of the importance of giving, but how many of the gifts we will give can literally change a person’s life? By supporting the Patient Financial Assistance Program at the Dean McGee Eye Institute, you will give the gift of sight to someone who otherwise might not be able to see. Light from darkness. How life changing is that? What a gift that would be,” says Jim Durbin, Dean McGee Eye Institute Executive Director of Development.When you give to PFAP, you help patients like Eduardo Rodriguez.Rodriguez, a custom woodworker from Oklahoma City, suffered from a blood clot in his retina. With only one good eye as a result of a childhood accident, he was at risk of losing his vision. Treatment to correct Rodriguez’s condition was extremely costly.“He didn’t have any insurance at all,” DMEI physician Dr. Ronald M. Kingsley says. “We had to find the resources to treat him which luckily we have here at the Institute.”This is when PFAP was able to help. Now with treatment and correctional magnifier lenses, Rodriguez is able to read and keep working.“I can drive. I watch TV. I can live my life normally,” he says.How Your Donation Supports Eye and Vision Health
Gifts to PFAP cover a variety of exams, diagnostic tests, imaging services, and procedures. Take a look at what a donation can cover in terms of care.
