ClearVision Foundation is proud to partner with Operation Sight! Operation Sight is a wonderful part of American Society Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) that helps uninsured and underinsured people with cataracts. Read on to learn more.

Who qualifies for Operation Sight?

• Patients must be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level defined by Federal
  Poverty Guidelines
• Uninsured of underinsured individuals (insurance must not cover cataract surgery)
• Must have a formal cataract diagnosis where surgery has been deemed
  medically necessary
• When and how are patients notified of their application status?
• If email is listed, patients will be notified within 7–10 business days
• If no email is provided, they will be contacted via telephone
• If application is incomplete, an ASCRS Foundation staff member will contact the applicant
  to request additional information or documentation
• Applications are placed on hold until all information or documentation has been received
  How long will it take a patient to receive charitable cataract surgery through OS
  once approved?Does Operation Sight help with co-pays?
• OS doesn’t assist with payment of co-pays or out-of-pocket costs through
  private insurance.
  Do insured patients qualify for Operation Sight?
• Patients MUST be uninsured or underinsured
• If insured, their insurance must NOT cover cataract surgery
• Medicare Part B patients do not qualify for OS
  How does Operation Sight financially qualify a patient to receive charitable
  cataract surgery?
• Patients need to document their household income (must show less than 200% of
  federal poverty level)
• Proof of income can be submitted by W-2, monthly paystub, or annual tax return
• If unemployed, applicant must provide a copy of any financial award letters from
  a disability, social security, food stamps, retirement funds, pension, alimony, or
  unemployment offices
• If unemployed and living with family or friends, person must send proof of the
  household income and letter from family/friends confirming they are financially
  supporting the applicant
• There is no set timeframe for when an approved applicant will receive surgery
• It is dependent on the location of the patient and the availability of the volunteer surgeon
• Surgeries are done by volunteer surgeons at their own facilities and will be worked into
  their existing schedule
• Acceptance into OS does not guarantee surgery
• What happens once the patient has been matched to a volunteer surgeon?
• The surgeon who has accepted the case will have their staff members contact the patient
  via telephone to schedule a pre-operative eye exam
  What happens if the initial eye exam indicates the patient has another condition,
  like glaucoma?
• At this point, OS is only for cataract surgery
• If the surgeon determines the patient isn’t a good candidate, the patient will not be
  eligible for the program
  Does the patient supply their own transportation?
• Yes. The patient is responsible for getting to and from the office/surgery center for both
  pre- and post-op exams and the surgery
  Who is responsible for post-op care?
• The volunteer surgeon/practice will provide routine follow-up care for a 90-day period
  following surgery
• After the 90-day period, if additional care is required, it becomes the responsibility
  of the patient