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

Background The 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 fiel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC medical education 2021-12, Vol.21 (1), p.1-596, Article 596
Main Authors: Rowe, Lucas W, Scheive, Melanie, Tso, Hanna L, Wurster, Patrick, Kalafatis, Nicholas E, Camp, David A, Thau, Avrey, Yung, Chi Wah Rudy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Automation
Clinics
Demographics
Diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy
Education
Eye
Free clinic
Glaucoma
Health care policy
Hospitals
Insurance coverage
Longitudinal Studies
Medicaid
Medical examination
Medical students
Medicare
Ophthalmology
Patients
Population
Services
Uninsured people
Urban health
Vision screening
Vision Tests
Visual Acuity
Vulnerable populations
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Summary:Background The 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. Methods This 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. Results 875 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. Conclusion The 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. Keywords: Free clinic, Urban health, Vision screening, Vulnerable populations
ISSN:1472-6920
1472-6920
DOI:10.1186/s12909-021-03026-7