Eye Care Clinics

Since May 2023, Zumbro Valley Medical Society (ZVMS) Street Medicine has held eye care clinics for our Olmsted County community. Originally created for people experiencing homelessness, the clinics now serve a broad population. This fundraiser will allow us to purchase permanent equipment for our future clinics, including our upcoming fifth clinic in June, rather than continue to borrow or rent it.

Goal of the clinics:

To provide comprehensive eye care to people who would otherwise lack access to it

Objectives:

(1) To hold a one-day eye care clinic twice a year at a local church setting for community members

• The eye care clinics include the following eye care stations: history, vision, pressure, refractions, glasses frames, dilated exam, and slit lamp exam. Clinics also include stations for supportive services, such as social work and State Services for the Blind.
• For follow up care for uninsured guests, we have a charity care agreement with Mayo Clinic. We are also able to coordinate with the Salvation Army and Mayo Clinic for continuity and high-level care when needed, including surgeries.

(2) To introduce Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (MCASOM) medical students to ophthalmology

• Prior to the eye care clinics, we hold a two-hour training for MCASOM medical students that includes learning or reviewing ophthalmology terms, exams, and expectations of each clinic station.
• For each clinic, the leadership team includes a medical student who has volunteered at a previous clinic and expressed interest in specializing in ophthalmology.

With your generous support, we will be able to purchase two additional phoropters to measure an individual's refractive error and determine their eyeglass prescription. 

We hope that the care, education, and supplies that people receive at the eye care clinics will help improve vision and the quality of life of our community.