Program Spotlight : Eye Care Program
Bringing Eye Care to the CFC
In 2002, CFC’s CEO, Jeannie Shapiro spoke at the Pinellas County Medical Society
Meeting to recruit new volunteers. Enthusiastically Dr. Michaelos expressed
his desire to help. When told we didn’t have an eye room, he replied:
“That’s ok, we’ll just check them
the best way we can.”
As luck would have it, the CFC was in the middle of an expansion and the large storage room soon became our eye room. Thanks to Dr. Michaelos' help, the CFC eye program became the success it is today, enabling volunteer optometrists and ophthalmologists to complete examinations at the Clinic. Our clinic currently has four volunteer eye specialists who perform eye exams 6 times a month.
Expanded Services through Community Partnerships
As the Clearwater Free Clinic grew, so did the Eye Care program with the help of community partnerships and generous donations.
The Clearwater Lion’s Club
Our partnership with the Clearwater Lion's Club reduces the waiting time for annual eye exams for our patients. Patients receive free prescription glasses with these exams provided by our partners in the community. In addition to exams, the Lion's Club refers patients who need surgery to a local specialist and often funds the procedure.
Operation Sight
Another partnership that helps fill the gaps in our on-site services is Operation Sight. Through this program, CFC patients who are found to have cataracts receive surgery at no cost. Cataracts are the second most prevalent cause of visual impairment and the leading cause of preventable blindness in many developing countries. With Operation Sight's help, patients are able to restore their vision and get back on track with their eye health.
Blue Ocean West Clinical Research
Early this year, the CFC began a new partnership with Blue Ocean West Clinical Research and Dr. Deupree of The Macula Center to provide a unique and exciting opportunity for healing! Our patients are now able to receive critical screenings with the use of the donated DRS camera to determine if they qualify to take part in a potentially sight- saving clinical research study. This special camera takes a photo of the retina to screen for eye disease such as wet or dry macular degeneration and determines the need for further treatment. Patients may ultimately qualify for the clinical research study that provides highly effective and costly injections to treat their eye conditions. All of this specialized care will come at no cost to the patient and will help others through the research process.
New Slit Lamp Courtesy of WestCMR
When the Clinic expressed an urgent need for a new slit lamp, Randy Ware and his team at WestCMR eagerly provided the funds to purchase a replacement. This generous donation allows the CFC Eye Care program to continue to provide care to our patients on-site.