Feb. 23, 2023 — The Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB) has partnered with Horizon Therapeutics to provide equipment for treating low vision in underserved communities as part of the ISPB Low Vision Equipment Reimbursement Program, which provides reimbursement for low vision aids, scleral lenses, and eyewear to those who cannot afford them. In honor of February’s Low Vision Awareness Month, Horizon Therapeutics is supporting the program with a donation of $50,000.
 
“Unfortunately, low vision equipment, which can be very expensive, is not covered by health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid,” says Elyse Fineman, ISPB’s executive director. “Thanks to the generous support of Horizon, we can now expand our program to provide these tools to those in need.”
 
“Through our work with the Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) community, we’ve seen the important role that accessibility tools and adaptive technology can play for those living with low vision,” says Matt Flesch, vice president, communications and patient advocacy, Horizon Therapeutics. “However, those tools and resources can be incredibly cost-prohibitive. These grants will help remove some of those financial barriers and help people who are blind or living with low vision access necessary equipment to live more independent lives.”
 
Horizon Therapeutics has also supported the launch of Prevent Blindness’s recently redesigned Living Well with Low Vision site. One of the organization’s most visited online resources, the site offers a variety of free directories, a library of self-help guides, downloadable apps, and relevant news for those with glaucoma and significant visual impairment.
 
For more information: eyehealthillinois.org.