Treatment Program for the Eyes of Texas

The DARS DBS Blindness Education, Screening, and Treatment (BEST) Program assists uninsured adult Texas residents with payment for urgently needed eye-medical treatment. The intent of the BEST Program is to prevent blindness, and the program serves qualified individuals with:

• diabetic retinopathy,
• glaucoma,
• detached retina,
• or any other eye disease determined to be an urgent medical necessity by both the applicant's eye doctor and the DBS ophthalmologic consultant or designee.

The BEST Program is funded with voluntary donations when Texans renew their driver's licenses or DPS-issued identification cards. DARS DBS expects that demand for this program will exceed available resources. During periods when the program is without resources, DARS DBS will establish and maintain a waiting list. When new funds become available, approved applicants on the waiting list will be served in order by the earliest referral date.

Individuals applying for BEST treatment services must apply through their physician or optometrist. We welcome and encourage your participation in this important program to protect the eyes of Texas. If you have any questions about the BEST Program, please call 1-800-628-5115 or e-mail your questions to DBSinfo@dars.state.tx.us.

BEST Program Sponsored Vision Screenings

There is a calendar of dates for upcoming vision screenings sponsored by the DARS Division for Blind Services BEST Program. For more information on scheduled vision screenings, please contact the Prevent Blindness Texas office in your area or call Debbie Goss with Prevent Blindness Texas at 713-526-2559