Gloucester County Offering Free Eye Exams for Residents

Gloucester County submitted the following news release: 

Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert Damminger and Freeholder Lyman Barnes are encouraging residents to start the New Year with a free eye exam. Gloucester County offers free eye screenings twice a month for all county children and adults.  This service is provided as a service of the Board of Chosen Freeholders and the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in an effort to prevent or limit the impact of vision loss.

“Children and adults should have their eyes examined annually because early detection of eye disease can prevent blindness and an exam can catch vision-related problems,” said Director Damminger. 

Gloucester County is providing the free exams for both children over the age of 4 and adults; children under the age of 18 will need the signature of a parent or guardian.

Director Damminger said, “Some types of health insurance do not cover optometry and these free eye exams can really help out. All you need to do to become eligible for a free eye exam is to make an appointment.” 

Barnes, liaison to the Division of Disability Services, stated that half of all vision loss is preventable with early detection of disorders and appropriate follow up care. Eye diseases, like glaucoma, can cause vision damage and eventual blindness without the patient experiencing any symptoms. 

Freeholder Barnes said that the eye exam schedule now includes evening hours on the last Wednesday of every month from 5 to 7 p.m. in an effort to accommodate working families and children.

“We wanted to make sure that school-aged children and working families could take advantage of this program,” said Freeholder Barnes. “Evening hours will make this free eye-exam program more accessible so we can reach more residents who need this service."

The Division of Disability Services offers the free eye exams on the second Tuesday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. and the last Wednesday of every month from 5 to 7 p.m. The exams take place at Shady Lane, 256 County House Road, Clarksboro. 

Please call 856-384-6842 to make an appointment for free eye screening for your child and yourself. 

Walk-ins are accepted for glaucoma screenings only.