A collaboration between the Department of Ophthalmology and POWER (PA Organization for Women in Early Recovery) resulted in the first outdoor mobile optometry clinic.
“The event was a success,” said Zeila Hobson, Community Ophthalmology & Remote Access Program (CORAP) Manager.
The event came about when Kelsey Muchnok, Content Strategist at the Eye & Ear Foundation, longtime POWER volunteer, and director of the documentary spotlighting the organization, introduced the Department to nurses and the care coordinator at POWER’s brand-new residential facility.
“We pulled the event together quickly to pilot our tele-optometry workflow, which will hopefully allow us to expand our schedule by sourcing remote provider coverage,” Hobson said. “Big thanks to POWER for being our latest partner for mobile care.”
POWER’s mission is to help women reclaim their lives from addiction and related emotional health issues. Its renovated campus is the first facility of its kind in Allegheny County; all levels of care are in one location and partners on the ground floor offer childcare, healthcare, and workforce development. Residents of this campus were offered no-cost optometry exams performed via e-consultation with Dr. Robert Bittner. They were also offered complimentary eyeglasses via Changing Life Through Lenses.
POWER Administrative Coordinator Tracey Collins called it a “fantastic opportunity for clients who don’t have the means to get vision care.” Mia Turner, POWER Lead Health Nurse Navigator said coordinating with the eyeVan was a perfect partnership. “Clients are sometimes unable to get out to make it to their eye appointments, or sometimes that just goes by the wayside. Literally the last thing you’re thinking about is your eye care because you’re too busy thinking about everything else that’s going on in your life that’s kind of blowing up.” They were able to get some of their outpatient clients to come to the event.
Roughly 18-20 clients were seen, and all of them needed eyeglasses. Hobson said regular tele-optometry clinics at POWER will now be scheduled.
“I was very happy to be on this new site because we saw a lot of patients who had a need for prescriptions,” said Juan Velasquez, CORAP staff member. “And [to be] one step closer to close the gap [between] healthcare and ophthalmology.”