The CLEAR StandardPatients & families
I need help with cataract care
See which program may fit your needs, including help with cost, complex care, transportation, distance, or coordination.
See assistance options →
Restoring sight for those in need
Charitable Cataract Surgery in the Coachella Valley
No one should go without cataract care because of financial or logistical barriers. The CLEAR Standard helps people access care and reports openly on how assistance is provided.
Need-based assistanceIndependent decisionsPublic transparency
Donors & community
I want to help someone get care
Choose where your gift goes and understand how support is reported.
See how gifts help →Physicians
I want to refer a patient
Refer a patient through a clear, independent process while maintaining the physician-patient relationship.
Referral information →Our programs
Four ways we help remove barriers to cataract care.
Patient assistance is based on need, current program criteria, and available funds, not referral order.
Community Vision Fund
Helps local patients facing financial barriers to cataract care.
For patients who cannot afford the full cost of care and meet need-based guidelines.
The barrier is rarely just surgery
Access can break down in more places than the operating room.
Cost
The cost of surgery and related care can be out of reach.
Transportation
Cataract care often requires reliable transportation to several appointments.
Distance
Appropriate care may be far from home.
Coordination
Appointments, paperwork, and follow-up can be difficult to manage.
Complex cases
Some patients need specialized evaluation.
Referral clarity
Patients and referring providers need a clear path to the next step.
Why this matters
Sight is not only about seeing. It is about doing.
Clear vision can help people read, drive when medically appropriate, cook, garden, play cards, and keep up with the people they love.
Every patient’s needs and results are different. We support access to care with clear expectations, thoughtful coordination, and practical assistance throughout the process.
Contact
Tell us how we can help.
Questions about applying, donating, referring a patient, volunteering, or partnering? Choose the topic that fits and send us a message.
Need program guidance?
Compare assistance options
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers about cataract-care assistance.
Still unsure? Contact our team.
Who can apply for assistance?
Adults who face financial, transportation, distance, coordination, or complex-care barriers to cataract treatment may apply. Each program has its own guidelines.
Does applying guarantee assistance?
No. Every request is reviewed against current program criteria, available funds, and the information provided. Decisions are need-based.
What costs can a program help cover?
Depending on the program and current guidelines, patient assistance may help with surgical care, pre- and postoperative needs, transportation, lodging, or care coordination. The Ethics & Research Fund supports education and research rather than direct patient assistance.
Do I need a physician referral?
No. A physician referral can help document clinical need, but patients and families may contact us directly. We will explain what information is required.
How are decisions made?
Assistance decisions are made independently, using published criteria and conflict-of-interest safeguards. Referral order alone does not determine priority.
Can donors choose a specific fund?
Yes. Donors can direct a gift to an eligible fund or allow The CLEAR Standard to use it where current need is greatest.
Is The CLEAR Standard an eye clinic?
No. The CLEAR Standard helps people access care and supports patient assistance, education, ethics, and research. Clinical evaluation and treatment are provided by qualified medical professionals.
Our Commitment
Transparency builds trust.
We believe patients, donors, and our community should understand how The CLEAR Standard operates, how funds are intended to be used, and how decisions are made.
Clear standards for how we serve, govern, and report.
Our criteria, fund purposes, decision-making, and results are designed to be clear and accountable.
