Implementation of a vision-screening program in rural northeastern United States

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Rural Health Disparities

Background:

• Rural populations face unique healthcare access barriers.
• Eye care access is a significant concern in underserved rural areas.
• A medical student-run free vision-screening clinic was implemented to address these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of a medical student-run free vision-screening clinic.
• To assess the effectiveness of this model in overcoming barriers to eye care access in rural New Hampshire and Vermont.
• To evaluate referral attendance and identify common diagnoses in a rural, at-risk population.

Main Methods:

• Medical students received ophthalmologist-led training for vision screenings.
• Screening involved questionnaires, visual acuity, extraocular movements, visual fields, and Amsler grid tests.
• Patients meeting screening criteria were referred; data on demographics, attendance, and diagnoses were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• 72% of 103 patients were referred; 89% of those attended follow-up appointments.
• 88% of patients attending referrals had abnormal findings, most commonly uncorrected refractive error (38%).
• Other diagnoses included glaucoma suspect (21%) and retinal diseases (8%); patients traveled an average of 16.6 miles for screening.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of unmet eye care needs exists in the rural population studied.
• Community health centers can serve as effective patient bases for rural vision screening.
• This model facilitates access to eye care for at-risk rural populations.