About AFEH

The Need
Eye diseases and disorders are a serious problem in the U.S. and around the world, with the general health and aging of the population contributing to the growing importance of these issues. The leading cause of blindness is cataracts, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention; as of 2006, an estimated 20.5 million Americans aged 40 and older had a cataract in one or both eyes. By the time they are 80, more than half of all Americans will have cataracts, and an estimated 30.1 million in the population will have them by 2020.

Next in severity of instances is diabetic retinopathy, related to diabetes and the cause of 12- to 24,000 new cases of blindness each year, according to the American Diabetes Association. Of the 4.1 million Americans estimated in 2006 to be affected by the disease, 900,000 have a form that is vision-threatening.

Glaucoma and macular degeneration are the next most serious eye diseases, with glaucoma being the leading cause of blindness in African Americans, and affecting 2.2 million Americans 40 and older. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the Western world, with 25-30 million people affected worldwide, according to the AMD Alliance International. It is the most prevalent cause of impairment to central vision among Americans over 65. Presbyobia and Uveitis (see list of diseases and disorders) are also serious threats to good vision.

It is in the light of these and other statistics regarding increasing threats to vision loss and blindness caused by treatable eye disease, that the Arizona Foundation for Eye Health has established its mission. Blindness and severe vision loss can be prevented if detected in early stages, but only if people have access to eye healthcare and the knowledge from information that will empower them to protect their precious vision. For thousands of Arizonans in remote geographic areas and those who lack financial resources the AFEH teleophthalmology model serves a critical role.

Mission
Arizona Foundation for Eye Health (AFEH) exists to prevent blindness and vision loss among Arizona's diverse at-risk population by providing access to eye healthcare professionals via advanced telecommunications.

Memberships

How the AFEH Mission is Accomplished

Incubator
AFEH is an incubator for programs that accelerate the development of existing models or encourage innovation around new prototypes for early intervention, education, and prevention of vision loss and blindness caused by treatable eye disease.

The AFEH incubator strives to achieve:

• Awareness of how diabetes complications may affect a person's vision.
• Community outreach via state of the art telecommunications and telemedicine.
• Continued development of culturally sensitive programs for Arizona's diverse population.
• Opportunities to improve the Quality of Life for those seeking to maintain a productive and independent lifestyle.
  

Telemedicine and Tele-Ophthalmology
AFEH uses advanced ophthalmic technology to provide early diagnosis of treatable eye disease and ocular disorders. AFEH uses Information Technology (IT) to transmit the patient's information from the screening site to the Arizona Telemedicine Ophthalmic Program (ATOP) Laboratory. The images are later analyzed by a team of Board certified volunteer ophthalmologists. All patient data is encrypted and HIPAA compliant.

Champions for at-risk populations
AFEH seeks to raise awareness and empower those persons who are underserved in our communities (the underinsured, economically, socially, and geographically challenged). By providing programs that enable access to eye care professionals and educational materials, patients are then equipped with the knowledge of diabetes complications, of the importance of annual eye exams to protect their eye health thus preventing vision loss and blindness caused by treatable eye conditions. That is how precious sight can be saved.

Collaborations
AFEH establishes partnerships with primary health care centers, medical offices, educational institutions, senior centers, and corporations. AFEH has strong ties with both local resources and prominent national eye organizations and research centers which continue to strengthen AFEH programs. AFEH will continue to seek partnerships with those entities that support our mission.

Quality Assurance
ALL AFEH programs have quality assurance and quality improvement measures in place to ensure the highest level of care.