Oral

Social disadvantage is associated with the burden of poor health, including visual impairment. Community health centers (CHCs) are successful in ameliorating the general health of vulnerable populations despite limited resources. Only 20% of CHCs provide on-site vision care services, however. The presenters invite discussion on other services currently lacking in CHCs. The speakers will describe the prevalence visual impairment among the children, ethnic minorities, and impoverished in the US. The functional disability from uncorrected refractive error in these underserved populations will be highlighted. The lack of on-site vision care in CHCs will be discussed. Barriers to provision of services currently lacking in CHCs will be addressed frankly. Proposed solutions include vigorous public policy reform and novel resources such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping technology and Brownfields redevelopment programs.

Session Objectives: 1) Describe methodology for mapping unmet health care needs which could be met by community health centers. 2) Discuss the individual and societal burden of visual disability, especially visual disability from habitually uncorrected refractive error. 3) Describe the evidence demonstrating unmet vision care needs in community health center patient populations. 4) Identify the means by which community health centers can address unmet visual needs by providing on-site eye care services.