A seven-year analysis of the role and impact of a free community eye clinic

BMC Medical Education

Hanna L. Tso¹  David A. Camp²  Patrick Wurster²  Melanie Scheive²  Nicholas E. Kalafatis²  Chi Wah Rudy Yung²  Lucas W. Rowe²  Avrey Thau² 

[1] Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA;Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA;

关键词: Free clinic;    Urban health;    Vision screening;    Vulnerable populations;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-021-03026-7

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic (IUSOC) Eye Clinic is a monthly student-run eye clinic that provides free visual screening to the Near East Side community of Indianapolis, IN, USA. Screening includes assessments of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, peripheral visual fields, refraction, and non-mydriatic fundus photography.MethodsThis is a retrospective chart review of 875 patients seen at the IUSOC Eye Clinic from October 2013 to February 2020. Data on demographics, insurance coverage, ocular history, physical examination, suspected diagnosis, referral status, and glasses provided were collected and analyzed.Results875 patients were seen at the IUSOC Eye Clinic from October 2013 to February 2020. 39.2% of the patients seen at the clinic reported being uninsured. 61.4% of patients were found to have visual acuity of 20/40 or worse, while 51.3% of patients were found to have a near visual acuity of 20/40 or worse. 20.3% of patients were referred to the local county hospital for further evaluation by an ophthalmologist, 14.4% of patients received free glasses prescriptions, and 27.9% of patients received free reading glasses. Common reasons for referral for further ophthalmology evaluation included glaucoma, decreased visual acuity, and diabetic retinopathy. An estimated value of services provided over the seven years of the clinic was 1271 relative value units.ConclusionThe IUSOC Eye Clinic fills an important role in advancing ocular health and preventing irreversible blindness in an underserved Indianapolis community. Additionally, the clinic demonstrates an educational model for involving medical student volunteers.

【 授权许可】

CC BY