Cash for clunkers inspires eye doctor

November 10, 2009

In the wake of the successful Cash for Clunkers program, Hollywood Eyes in South Florida is offering a similar program. Instead of old cars, customers can trade in their outdated eye wear for newer models.

The store is offering the deal in the wake of the economic crisis. Many Americans who lost their jobs, and subsequently their health insurance, can now afford the new pair of eyeglasses that they need.

"I was actually reading an article about people doing clunker things in other areas and I thought, why can't we do that?" Dr. Kay of Hollywood Eyes told WFOR, the CBS affiliate for South Florida.

Kay will take money off of a customers bill if they hand in their old eyeglasses when purchasing a new pair. He then donates the older frames to Broward Outreach Center, an organization who that hands the specs out to those in need, according to the news source.

Though affordable eye care and eyeglasses are incentive for Americans to have an eye care exam, the American Optometric Association (AOA) stresses that patients should not wait until their desperate, or find a deal, to schedule an appointment.

The AOA recommends that adults see an eye care professional at least once every two years to monitor their eye health and test for conditions such as Age-related Macular Degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts, the three leading causes of blindness in America.