Step by Step To Eye Care For All

Preliminary Steps

1. Discuss the Vision Station project within your organization.
2. Complete and return the Vision Station guidelines and partnership agreement.
3. Designate a space where vision services can be provided.
4. Decide what hours and days the Vision Station will be open. Consider how many people will be needed to staff the Vision Station during those periods.
5. Identify the staff or volunteers who will work at the Vision Station.
6. Arrange for those individuals to attend an InFOCUS workshop.
7. Decide what materials, equipment, and supplies are needed.
8. Develop a list of eye doctors in your area. Send a letter to doctors asking them to accept referrals from your Vision Station (a sample letter is provided).
9. If a doctor says "yes," ask the doctor to complete and return the "Participating Professional Questionnaire." A personal visit is recommended. Provide the doctor with the Eye Examination Report forms and the InFOCUS Prescription Order Form; these should be completed and returned to the Vision Station for each patient seen.
10. Compile these completed questionnaires to use when referring patients to doctors.
11. Visit a local optical company or optician if possible.

Getting Started

Get the word out:
Publicize the opening of the Vision Station in the community. Post fliers at grocery stores and washaterias, contact local newspapers and media, distribute fliers at schools and community meetings. (Please send copies of publicity to InFOCUS.)

Welcome patients to your Vision Station!

Record the progress of each patient

1. Complete and keep on file a Vision Station Patient Record Form for each patient.
2. If the patient needs to be referred to an eye doctor, discuss the fees and hours offered by the doctors working with your vision station. Consider whether bilingual services are needed.
3. Ask the patient which doctor (possibly one that is not on the list) s/he wants to see. Make a note of this on the Patient Record Form. Offer directions or suggestions about transportation.
4. Make a copy of the Patient Record Form for the patient; fax the Patient Record Form to the doctor.
5. If the patient may need eyeglasses, measurements and frame selection may be done at this time. Record the information on the Prescription Order Form and keep it on file. If the patient obtains a prescription, you will be ready to send the order to the optical company.
6. If glasses are prescribed, the doctor may fax the prescription to the Vision Station or the patient may bring it to you. Complete the InFOCUS Prescription Order Form, and fax it to the optical company with the patient’s prescription.

Record the activities of your Vision Station

1. Keep track of patients and services on the Activity Record for Monthly Report.
2. Prepare a new Activity Record for each date on which services are provided.
3. At the end of the month, fax, e-mail or mail all of the Activity Records for that month to InFOCUS.

Acknowledge Vision Station Partners

Celebrate the participation of everyone involved in this community eye care initiative, including patients, eye doctors, volunteers, staff and others in your congregation or neighborhood.