Vision Care on the Move
Posted by Vision Monday on Sunday, October 27, 2024 1:00 AM - Article Link
NEW YORK—There are countless roles in the optical industry—dozens of different job titles, daily workflows, expectations and callings—but we all have one common goal: to get eyecare to everyone who needs it, in one way or another. In large part, achieving that goal comes down to removing barriers to eyecare access—and one crucial way to remove those barriers is to physically bring eyecare to those who need it, to meet patients where they are.
For many, seeking eyecare is difficult or, in some cases, completely impossible. Employing various means of mobile eyecare allows the optical industry to bring care where it’s needed—whether that’s next door, in disaster relief areas halfway around the world, or on a fully equipped airplane hospital. This really is what mobile eyecare boils down to: bringing care to patients, removing barriers and achieving health equity.
Mobile eyecare is as impactful as it is varied. Here, Vision Monday catches up with a number of mobile eyecare organizations that operate both here in the U.S. and internationally, to explore the landscape of mobile eyecare today, offering a peek at what its future could look like.
Based in Orange County, Calif., ECN Purpose’s Mobile Eye Health Unit travels to specific locations throughout the county based on the needs of nonprofit partners in the community and where programs will best serve those in need. The Unit is equipped with state-of-the-art optometric equipment that allows volunteer optometrists and technicians to perform vision screenings and eye examinations, said Carolyn K., program manager at ECN Purpose. “We meet people where they are and safely connect them to vision care,” she explained. ECN Purpose’s Mobile Eye Health Program was founded in 2023 as an expansion of the larger ECN Purpose nonprofit, which began its work in 1976. In its first year of operation, the Mobile Eye Health Program reached more than 800 people and provided over 260 eyecare services to those ranging from 5 to 58 years of age, Carolyn said. As the program’s second year continues, the goal is to expand into including eyewear as well—ECN Purpose is currently raising funds for the proper equipment to make eyewear in-house, and seeking support from industry lens manufacturers.
Bringing eyecare to those who need it is an important extension of the work ECN Purpose has done for decades, and positively impacts the lives of those who receive care. Aspasia Shappet, founder and CEO of ECN Purpose, said, “Sight impacts everything, every day, everywhere.”
Carolyn added, “Vision care is often overlooked, particularly in underserved communities. We understand how vision affects daily life and the ability to succeed, so we bring vision care to people who may not otherwise have services available to them. Our Mobile Eye Health Unit improves vision care accessibility by overcoming common barriers such as trust, transportation and geography. Our vision is to bridge the gap in eye health awareness and create connection to vision care for underserved individuals.”
