Eye exams and eyeglasses, if necessary, will be offered to working, uninsured families that are residents of North Dakota, at no cost, through the Vision USA-ND Project.

As part of the national program called Vision USA, participating optometrists are donating their services to provide comprehensive eye exams to children and adults.

In addition, local Lions Clubs, the Dakota Medical Foundation, Vision Services Inc. and optical laboratories are providing funds and discounts to cover the cost of lenses.

To qualify for the program, the following guidelines must be met:

1. The person seeking eyecare assistance is a resident of North Dakota for at least two years.

2. Someone in the household must be working at least part-time.

3. The person requesting assistance can not have any vision insurance, or be on any public assistance, such as Medicaid, Medicare or IHS.

4. The person seeking assistance can not have had an eye exam in the past three years.

5. The family must have income below an established level based on household size.

Applications may be obtained from county social services, school administrators, local Lions Club members and optometrists, or by writing Vision USA-ND Project, 921 S. Ninth St., Suite 120, Bismarck, N.D. 58504.

Applications also can be downloaded from www.ndeyecare.info. Click on the Vision USA Link.

All applications will be reviewed. Eligible persons will be notified and referred to a participating optometrist.

For further information, contact Vision USA-ND Project, Office of ND Optometric Association, 701-258-6766.