American Glaucoma Society’s AGS Cares Program for the Underserved

Serving the needs of patients with diverse ophthalmology conditions, Dr. David D. Kim has an extensive background in surgery for cataracts and glaucoma. Reflecting his ophthalmology background, Dr. David D. Kim is a member of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS).

Providing a combination of research, patient support, and educational resources, AGS works with people to identify qualified member physicians in local communities. The organization also maintains a patient portal that includes the AGS Foundation-sponsored public service program, AGS Cares. The focus of this initiative is to reach out to underserved and uninsured patients and ensure that their needs are met through no-cost surgical glaucoma treatment.

Those who qualify for AGS Cares are connected with volunteer surgeons and provided with levels of surgical and postoperative clinical treatment designed to halt disease progression and prevent potential blindness. With numerous corporate partners contributing to this community project, the end result is caring, knowledgeable treatment for those who would otherwise not have been able to access glaucoma care.

A Layperson’s Overview of Glaucoma

Dr. David D. Kim has worked in ophthalmology for more than 20 years. Currently based in Tucson, Arizona, he treats patients at Arizona Eye Consultants. Previously a clinical associate professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. David D. Kim maintains membership in the American Glaucoma Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

On its website, the AAO offers a number of print and video resources for laypeople, including basic information on glaucoma. In its videos, the organization provides a simple explanation of the disease, and emphasizes the importance of regular eye exams as the best means of preventing or stopping its progress.

Glaucoma typically results due to an increase in pressure inside the eye, usually caused by excess fluid build-up. The healthy eye constantly manufactures its own lubricating fluid (called the aqueous humor), which drains out of a tiny area called the trabecular meshwork. Any blockage of proper drainage can elevate intraocular pressure to dangerous levels. Pressure can damage the optic nerve, leading to irreversible loss of visual field or total blindness.

Because glaucoma typically develops without obvious warning symptoms, it is imperative for all adults (and particularly older adults) to see their ophthalmologists for regular check-ups. When diagnosed early, glaucoma can be successfully treated with medication or surgery.

The American Glaucoma Society

A graduate of the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Illinois, David Kim, MD, completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. David Kim has treated patients at Arizona Eye Consultants in Tucson, AZ, and previously served as a clinical associate professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin from 1996 to 2017. Dr. Kim is a member of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS).

The AGS exists to support glaucoma specialists and facilitate the exchange of knowledge between them to benefit medical students entering the field, physicians, and patients. Membership with the AGS is open to physicians who operate a clinical practice and have completed three years of residency training in ophthalmology and a year-long clinical fellowship in glaucoma.

Members of the AGS gain access to several benefits including a subscription to the journal published by the AGS, reduced registration fees for the AGS annual meeting, and access to a members-only open forum, which serves as a valuable resource for members to exchange ideas and share difficult cases. Membership with the AGS also provides an opportunity for members to serve on various committees focused on furthering industry research, patient care, communication, and education.

American Glaucoma Society Cares Program

An ophthalmologist at Arizona Eye Consultants in Tucson, AZ, glaucoma surgeon Dr. David Kim has delivered eye care at clinics in Iowa and Wisconsin. Dr. David Kim is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS).

Founded by a group of glaucoma specialists in 1985, The American Glaucoma Society pools the expertise of ophthalmology providers to improve treatments and patient outcomes. The Society administers its charitable work through the AGS Foundation and its public service program, AGS Cares.

The program aims to link uninsured patients with free high-quality glaucoma treatment. Eye surgeons from across the country volunteer their services and provide acute and post-operative care for up to three months.

The program is financed by corporate sponsors and individual donations. Patients must demonstrate either a lack of insurance or an inability to pay for the surgery deductible. Since its launch, more than 30 patients have had their vision restored due to AGS Cares.