The unfortunate truth is that living with keratoconus comes with a cost – frequent eye doctor’s visits, expensive contact lenses, and possible surgeries to stabilize vision. These are life-changing necessities, but costly endeavors, even with vision and medical insurance. Ashley Worth, saw this problem and barrier first hand as a keratoconus patient herself and started The Angel Eyes Foundation to help alleviate some of the financial burden of other individuals with keratoconus. Worth shared with us a bit about her incredible organization:
“When I founded The Angel Eyes Foundation in January 2024, it stemmed from a deeply personal journey with keratoconus. My own challenges navigating the overwhelming costs and complexities of managing keratoconus opened my eyes to the profound struggles many others face daily. This foundation was born from a simple yet powerful idea: to make a difference in the lives of keratoconus patients in need.
The inspiration behind The Angel Eyes Foundation came from my personal experiences and the struggles I witnessed within the keratoconus community. One pivotal moment was helping a social media friend who faced a $10,000 bill for scleral lenses and corneal cross-linking (CXL). Together, we raised the funds through TikTok dance trends, and it worked! Another turning point came when my own doctor’s office stopped accepting my insurance, leaving me unable to afford my lenses. A generous company stepped in to cover the cost, and I realized how fortunate I was to have such support. Seeing others in similar situations motivated me to create a foundation that could extend this kind of help to those in need.The name “Angel Eyes” comes from my late mother’s nickname for me, and it now symbolizes the hope and support the foundation brings to others.
In just under a year, The Angel Eyes Foundation has grown beyond my expectations. Thanks to a dedicated community of supporters, we’ve Provided essential scleral lens supplies, tools, and maintenance products to individuals in financial need through our Angel Care Packages, which include 3-6 months of supplies as well as assisted three individuals this year with the cost of scleral lenses, with a goal of helping five by year’s end. These milestones are a testament to the strength and generosity of the keratoconus community. However, the work is far from over. Every patient’s story motivates us to expand our reach and impact further. We want to do so much more.
Today, The Angel Eyes Foundation is a lifeline for those facing the dual challenge of keratoconus and financial hardship. We invite patients, families, and allies to interact with us in the following ways: Apply for Assistance: If you or someone you know is struggling to afford scleral lenses or supplies, our application process is open and designed to be as accessible as possible.visit www.theangeleyesfoundation.org to apply Support Our Mission: At this time, we have a growing waitlist of individuals in need of assistance. Your donations and support play a critical role in helping us reduce this waitlist and provide essential resources to those facing financial hardship. Additionally, we aim to collaborate with manufacturers in the future to further increase access to affordable care supplies. By talking about our mission and sharing our story, you help us raise awareness and build a stronger foundation for growth. Stay Informed. Explore our website for updates on our programs, and opportunities to get involved.
The Angel Eyes Foundation exists because of the unwavering belief that vision care should never be a luxury. Born from the heart of keratoconus patients, for KC patients. Together, we can ensure that every individual with keratoconus has access to the treatments they need.
As we approach our one-year anniversary, we remain deeply committed to expanding our services and forging new partnerships. Our vision for the future includes not only increasing the number of patients we assist annually, moving to assist with additional costs associated with keratoconus treatment and management, but also advocating for systemic changes that make specialty lenses and keratoconus treatments more accessible to all.
Thank you, NKCF, for this incredible opportunity to share our story and connect with your community. It is through collaborations like this that we can make a meaningful difference one lens, one patient, and one life at a time.”