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."