THE
VISION STATION PROJECT
A COMMUNITY EYE CARE INITIATIVE
InFOCUS and
its mission partners are working together to expand access to primary
eye care for children and adults who are "outside the loop" of medical
services. Our objective is to increase access to affordable vision
care for needy families. The larger aim is to help people enjoy
the many benefits of healthy eyes and clear vision.
The strategy
is to establish "vision stations" in low-income communities so families
will be able to come to a familiar, community-oriented church, clinic
or social service agency to get an initial vision assessment and
referral to an eye doctor for an eye exam (if needed). If eyeglasses
are prescribed, the family will be able to return to their neighborhood
center to select, order and pick up their eyeglasses.
Each vision
station offers preventive health information and promotes the importance
of regular eye exams. Patients pay a nominal fee for the eye exams
and eyeglasses. Proceeds of spectacle sales help the vision station
defray the cost of the services and create an assistance fund to
help the most indigent families pay for eyeglasses.
HEALTHY
EYES AND CLEAR VISION FOR ALL
The goal is
to create community-based vision care, where low-income individuals
can go to find out if they need eyeglasses or other vision care;
to be referred to an eye doctor for a free or low-cost eye exam;
and to get prescription glasses at an affordable price.
InFOCUS offers
training, start-up supplies and equipment and works closely
with
each Vision Station to ensure its success. Five vision stations
were established in 2000, the project’s inaugural year. Today
8 low-income communities enjoy year-round access to eye care
at
InFOCUS
Vision Stations. InFOCUS, community-based organizations, volunteers,
donors, and public-spirited opticians and ophthalmic professionals
are working together to achieve "eye care for all."
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