Free eye screenings to be offered for people with diabetes

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NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (May 21, 2011) – An ophthalmologist will provide free eye screenings for people with diabetes at Saint Peter’s University Hospital’s Family Health Center, 123 How Lane, New Brunswick, on Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program will be hosted by Saint Peter’s and sponsored by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, part of the N.J. Department of Health and Senior Services. The screening is for the benefit of individuals with diabetes who do not receive regular eye care due to inadequate or lack of health insurance coverage.
In addition to eye exams, nurses from Saint Peter’s Diabetes Care and Control center will conduct foot examinations and blood pressure screenings. Visitors will receive their test results during their visit as well as medical counseling and referrals, if necessary. Those who need corrective eye glasses will be given a prescription and may receive assistance from the commission to purchase glasses, if qualified. Healthy refreshments will be served.
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness and can lead to serious infections of the foot. It can also cause high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, among other medical complications.
The program is free, but pre-registration is required. Please call Saint Peter’s at 732-745-8600, Ext. 6392 or 6394, to pre-register or for more information. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Eye drops used during the exam cause temporary blurring of vision, so participants should come with a driver. English/Spanish-speaking staff will be there to help interpret.
About Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Saint Peter’s University Hospital is a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Saint Peter’s is a state-designated children’s hospital and a regional perinatal center, and is a regional specialist in geriatrics, oncology, orthopedics, women’s services and ambulatory care.
The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital provides families with access to a full range of pediatric specialties, including pediatric cardiology through its affiliation with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Saint Peter’s is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and internal medicine, and is a regional medical campus of Drexel University College of Medicine. Saint Peter’s also sponsors residency programs in radiology and orthopedic surgery in affiliation with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
The hospital, part of the Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is fully accredited by The Joint Commission, is recognized as a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, is recognized by the American Diabetes Association in all areas of diabetes education, and is a Clinical Research Affiliate of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Saint Peter’s is located at 254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. For more information about Saint Peter’s, please visit www.saintpetersuh.com or call 732-745-8600.