Posted:  Fullerton, CA, March 13, 2012

A health fair for migrant workers provided an opportunity for community service by students and faculty of the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO).  Vision screenings were provided to 80 children and adults at a health fair organized by Latino Health Access and held in Thermal, CA, on March 4.

Of the 80 patients screened 42 had never had an eye exam; seven patients had an eye-health related issue; 18 patients were healthy and did not require glasses; and 55 patients had reduced visual acuity and are in need of glasses.  SCCO will work with Latino Health Access to get the patients requiring glasses to the College's Eye Care Center in Fullerton for full comprehensive eye exams.

Thirteen optometric interns and two faculty members made the two-hour drive from SCCO's Fullerton campus to the desert community of Thermal to participate in the event that included 20 health care providers and vendors.  Some of the providers included:  Kaiser, Lestonnac Free Clinic, Planned Parenthood, Migrant Education Program, Children's Initiative, California Rural Legal Assistance, and El Sol Neighborhood Education Center.

A special component of SCCO's educational program is building community service.  Annually, SCCO faculty and optometric interns provide eye and vision care to thousands of uninsured or underinsured children and adults in our local communities through collaborations with other nonprofit organizations.