Need Help with seeing a retina specialist

[IrladyBlaze]

I am 43 years old and my eyes have progressively gotten worse in the last year. I had an eye exam and he told me that there is something going on with my left Retina and he highly suggested I see a Retina Specialist! However I have NO HEALTH insurance to speak of and I have not been able to work for the past 2 years. Are there any grants out there that May be able to help me to get into see a speacialist?
This Dr. has really scared me and they keep calling me to see if I have gotten an appointment yet! I am scared to loose my eyesight.
Thanks in adavance for any infromation or direction you might be able to throuw my way

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[AnnaE]

Both my daughter['s retinas attached when she was 18. I was waiting for new insurance--her eye doc just scared us off--by saying that if he did the surger, my girl would not look the same again.

We found a retina doctor who just did the surgery, no questions asked. I know we were extremely lucky. But I  know that you can get help, too. Go to your couty hospital and I bet they will help. You. What Jodie says is true--the state agency will go back and pay your bills.

Please keep your ching up and write to us for support. You can click on any of our names and send us a personal message. I guarateee that none of us will refuse us the greatest support and resources.

I really think I fight a lot for good care because my great teacher's retirement insurance is now secondary to medicare, because of disabiity. But the fight is worth it.

Please take care of your eyes. You do not need the sorrow that sight loss causes. You .

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[berrywoo]

Recovery is going well so far. Both my surgeon and I remain hopeful that the retina will stay attached this time around. I'm trying to get used to the fuzzy vision from the silicone oil as well as all the glare and strange reflections.
Take care and thanks for the well wishes.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

How is your recovery going from your recent retinal surgery? Thanks for you valuable input on these eye forums. All the best.

JCH MD

[berrywoo]

First take the advice of Dr. Hagan and JodieJ. Many hospitals and doctors' offices will come up w/ a financial plan to help you.
Try contacting your local Services for the Blind office. They have a medical eye program available to help those who don't qualify for other types of aid such as medicaid.
If you need surgery, the Knights Templar organization has a financial aid program that will help those in need.
Also, the Lions Club has various programs that may help as well.
Don't neglect your visual health b/c of financial problems.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[JodieJ]

I have known many other people who were forced into horrible situations (such as yours) due to circumstances beyond their control.  Right now your priority has to be preserving your vision.  So try contacting the ophthalmology departments of the teaching hospitals in your area.  If they don't have a sliding fee scale, perhaps some kind of arrangement can be made for paying the fees over time.  If not, ask for referrals and/or contact the hospital's social services department.

In my state (Illinois), people whose disability application is pending are granted temporary medical benefits until a decision is reached.  Are you sure that this isn't the case in your state?

    

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[IrladyBlaze]

Thank you for your response to my post for Help.
I don't know how to take what you wrote. I have supported myself and WORKED since I was 15 yrs old up until Nov. 10, of 06 when a procedure that was to help me went bad and I have not been able to work since. The original injuries were from a Car accident 11-01-2004 while on the job. Despite my pain and limitaions I worked for as long as I could in between surgeries and procedures. That accident Changed my life Completely and it has affectede EVERY part of my life...physically, mentally, socially, and Finacially... it has just about Ruined me! I Lost just about everything and if it weren't for food lines and my local church we would have been on the street along time ago!
My job FIRED me at christmas time 2006 while out on Medical leave for that One the job accident! Our home was in foreclosure and we depended on NO ONE for support! This entire experience has been humbling. I have NEVER before in my life had to POST online to ask for help to see a DR. I am Not asking for a hand out! I Don't Gamble, I Don't Drink..I Don't Smoke! I wish I had money to spare for Health Insurance. I would LOVE to buy Health Insurance...But even YOU are aware that if a person has Pre Existing medical problems that they either have to pay OUTRAGEOUS prices and or IF they are accepted ANYTHING pre Existing is NOT COVERED! I have already out of MY Pocket... this year since Januaary spent Over $38,000...Depeleting what little settlement I had left...this does NOT count the EYE Exam & glasses I just had to scrape together and pay $ 521.00 for! My husband is disabled and gets a whole $720. a month and we are a family of 3! We Do NOT get Help with Food stamps or Any other Government Help and My disability is Pending... I am sorry that I thought that there might be some sort of program that might help those individuals that are TRUELY in a situation Beyond their control! It's not bad enough that I am forced to live each day with the Constant Pain, limitation and Permanent Injuries that I have been left with...But To be Honest with you it is Comments and attitudes like yours that make a person feel Lower than they are already feeling...I already feel as if I am holding onto Lifes little edge...why don't you just push me over!
I can't begin to tell you how much Your Post Offended me!
I am Sorry that I bothered Your Sight...while trying to save Mine!
So thanks again for the Input

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If you live in the United States there is no reason you can't get  quality medical care. A high deductible is better than no deductable at all. Almost all physicians and hospitals are willing to make arrangements for regular payments to debts owed. If you are a veteran there is the VA. Most major metropolitan areas have charity hospitals and clinics that provide care to the needy and indigent. Most metropolitan areas have “free clinics”. Most medical schools provide no cost or reduced cost in exchange for the care being provided by Resident Physicians and Fellows under the supervision of staff physicians. The Lions Clubs and Delta Gamma provide eye care assistance.

Many people can finance their medical care with what they spend on
alcohol, tobacco, gambling and fancy clothes and vacations. 75% of the people in the United States that don’t have insurance CAN afford it but choose not to get it gambling they won’t get sick or injured. That’s never a good bet.

JCH MD

[bad eyes]

You can start by contacting your local social services department and closest university hospital.