About Eyes on Wheels
Eyes on Wheels is a student-run, free mobile eye care program serving patients across Western Pennsylvania as part of the UPMC Community Ophthalmology & Remote Access Programs (CORAP) team via the Eye & Ear Foundation Advancing Care Together Sponsorship Program and Access to Care initiative (ACT).
Founded in 2005 as Guerrilla Eye Service (GES) by Evan “Jake” Waxman, MD, PhD and University of Pittsburgh medical students, the Eyes on Wheels program expands access to care while giving students early, hands-on clinical experience. We provide free comprehensive eye exams for individuals facing barriers to care. Student-led missions occur multiple times each month at nearly a dozen Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) on nights and weekends. Recurrent Eyes on Wheels partner sites include 9th Street Clinic, Sheep Inc Health Center, and Allies for Health & Wellbeing.
CORAP’s work also includes daytime clinics via the PittMed eyeVan 2-3 times a week at over 40 partner locations across Allegheny, Washington and Greene counties, research projects related to the mobile clinic initiatives, and insurance navigation for patients referred from community outreach events.
We reduce immediate barriers by bringing care directly into communities at convenient locations. Patients can also connect with a UPMC Vision Institute Patient Navigator for ongoing support. Navigation services include help with Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, transportation, food assistance programs, utility support, and other essential resources.
We also support large-scale outreach events throughout the year, such as UPMC Community Vision Days, to deliver no-cost vision services and glasses to hundreds of patients.
Our Impact
Serving High-Risk Communities
Eyes on Wheels and CORAP prioritize care for individuals at the highest risk of vision loss. Communities facing financial hardship, limited education access, and food insecurity experience higher rates of eye disease and more barriers to care.
These barriers include cost, transportation challenges, difficulty taking time off work, and navigating complex healthcare systems. Our programs are designed to directly address these gaps.
Research published in 2019 and 2025 by UPMC and University of Pittsburgh ophthalmologists embedded in CORAP’s projects highlight both the populations served and the measurable impact of this work.
Diabetic Retinopathy Screening (DRS)
The UPMC Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Program (DRS), formerly GES Recon, uses web-connected retinal cameras in primary care clinics and community organizations to expand access to screening.
With minimal training, onsite staff capture images for patients at risk of vision loss. These images are reviewed by UPMC Vision Institute physicians, who return reports with follow-up recommendations.
This program generates thousands of images each year and reaches local and rural patients who may not otherwise receive screenings in Pennsylvania and Western Maryland. CORAP manages device acquisition and allocation, on-site training, camera troubleshooting, and more.
Contact and Learn More
Phone: 412-642-5415
Email: csremoteaccess@upmc.edu
Website: www.upitteyesonwheels.com
