Transcontinental bike ride supports EyeCare America

San Francisco-Six cyclists from the United Kingdom have embarked on a transcontinental bicycle ride in the United States to educate the public about eye disease, encourage the public to use EyeCare America’s free programs, and raise funds to support the organization’s efforts to save sight.

EyeCare America is a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). The 3,000-mile biking event, EyeRide for Sight, began May 7 at the program’s headquarters in San Francisco and will end in late July at the AAO’s office in Washington, DC.

“EyeCare America is one of the largest public service programs in the United States to offer access to medical eye care at no cost. Our mission is to put an end to preventable blindness,” said Richard P. Mills, MD, ophthalmologist and chairman of the program. “Through the EyeRide for Sight, we hope to get the message out to medically underserved communities that EyeCare America can help save their sight.”

Tom McClellan, lead cyclist for EyeRide for Sight and son of EyeCare America board member Tony McClellan, said, “We are excited to work with EyeCare America in order to help raise awareness about eye disease and preventable blindness. We hope that our bike ride across the United States will allow EyeCare America to help even more people save their sight.”

For more than 20 years, EyeCare America has provided free eye health educational materials and access to medical eye care at no out-of-pocket cost for those who qualify. For information and to determine eligibility, members of the public may call 800/222-EYES (3937) toll-free at any time.

To support EyeRide for Sight, EyeCare America has launched a new Web site, www.eyecareamerica.org/eyeride.cfm, where the public can learn about the cyclists through videos, photos, and weekly blog updates, as well as follow their path via an interactive map as they journey across the United States.

Visitors to the site also can make donations to support EyeCare America’s various eye-care programs. Individuals who donate $25 or more will receive an EyeRide for Sight wristband as a gift for the contribution.