EyeOn Patients - Illinois College of Optometry

Vision of Hope
Health Alliance
Reaching out to those who
cannot afford vision care
In November 2003, the Illinois Eye Institute established
the Vision of Hope Health Alliance, a community service
program that provides comprehensive eye care to uninsured,
low-income adults in Chicago. Many of these
patients also suffer from underlying diseases that contribute
to their eye problems, and the Alliance helps to
connect these patients to primary healthcare providers.
Building on the highly successful Vision of Hope program
(launched initially with grants from the State of Illinois
and the Washington Square Health Foundation), the
Alliance is a network of partnering agencies that identify
uninsured clients in need of primary eye care and refer them
to IEI. Through gifts and grants from philanthropic sources
and an in-kind commitment from IEI, VOHHA patients
That includes her husband. Though he’s a member of the
faculty, his interaction with students stems largely from working
with them in the clinic. In addition to his allegiance to
patients, Messner says he prioritizes practice in part so he can
work with students. “It’s a great place for me to be,” he says.
“That’s where I really feel the pulse of the institution, in terms
of students, patients, faculty and staff.”
The Outreach
Messner’s other priorities include increased emphasis on outreach
programs at IEI. With Eileen Gable, OD, Medical
Director of Charitable Services, heading the effort, IEI’s commitment
to the underserved has taken new dimensions. A
turning point came in 2001, when more than $350,000 was
given for the Vision of Hope program to provide eye care to
11 ICO Matters / Spring 2005
receive examinations, treatment of eye disease, glasses, other
devices, relevant health information and follow-up care. The
Eye Institute then links those in need of medical services to
partnering Federally Qualified Health Centers who accept
VOHHA patients for primary health care.
During the pilot year of the VOHHA program, more
than 400 uninsured patients were served and 79 percent
needed eyeglasses (provided for free). Eighty-two percent
was found to suffer from or have an increased risk for eye
disease. And 55 percent warranted referrals to partnering
health centers for medical care to address high blood pressure,
diabetes and other chronic illnesses. The results have
been significant, with many cases of not only improved
eyesight, but improved quality of life.
uninsured patients at IEI. Since then, services have proliferated,
with programs for children, seniors and the visually
impaired currently in place. And the VOH program itself has
grown, joining forces with community health centers to
become the Vision of Hope Health Alliance in 2003.
According to Taylor, who provides pediatric low vision
services at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired under
a Lions Foundation of Illinois grant, “The clinic keeps growing
as a good community service. We can serve the entire
range, from infants to people over 100.”
The Eye Institute can also increasingly serve as a conduit
for people who need eye surgery. A partnership with the
University of Chicago not only facilitates referrals between the
two institutions, but offers research and clinical opportunities
for faculty, students and residents.