Our Optical team usually consists of one or more Optometrists and up
to 20 volunteers. The volunteers select and dispense glasses,
fit them for patients, provide necessary instructions, encourage
patients to maintain the best healthcare possible and sometimes
repair glasses. The following paragraphs show the normal routine for
patients in our Optical Clinic.
1. Register and give a brief
healthcare history. This is important to determine
if any pre-existing conditions are present that would:
- Has a medical condition(s) that effect their eyes (i.e.
diabetes)
- Limit communication with the Optometrist (general literacy,
we also have Spanish interpreters present)
- Determine if the patient works outdoors or in areas with
high concentrations of smoke or dust.
- Have received any eye care before.
2. Receive an evaluation, provided by an optometrist. Most
everyone under the age of 35 is prescreened using a typical letter
eye chart. Those passing the prescreening are given sunglasses and a
Bible, if desired. The patients that fail the prescreening are sent
on to an optometrist. After a general health exam, the doctor uses
an instrument called a retinoscope to determine the patient's need
for glasses.
3. If the evaluation indicates the need for prescription glasses,
they are located and pulled from our inventory. Where possible
we also try to provide sunglasses for all patients.
4. The patient is then given a simple reading or other test to
ensure the prescription will provide the best vision possible.
(Because of language barriers and a poor literacy rate this can be
difficult).
5. When the patients’ visual accuracy has
been verified, the patient proceeds to a fitting station for final
adjustments and instructions on proper eye care.