The goal of an eye care outreach program is to provide vision care to those for whom financial, geographic, or physical barriers prevent access to such services.

At the Indiana University School of Optometry, an additional goal is to introduce our students to programs, populations, and practice modalities that they might not experience in a "typical" clinical setting. We believe that this exposure results in graduating doctors who develop greater awareness of the issues that influence access to healthcare. It is hoped that these doctors in turn will exhibit greater personal engagement in the communities where they live and work.

What follows is a brief description of the outreach activities of the school, as well as links to further information.

The ECCO program was launched in May of 2004. Its goal is to provide low income, uninsured Indiana residents of Marion, Hendricks, Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Morgan, Johnson, and Shelby Counties access to comprehensive vision care services.

In 2007, the ECCO program arranged 751 comprehensive examinations and helped 386 individuals obtain a pair of eyeglasses.

Learn more about the ECCO program, including how to qualify for services, at: www.opt.indiana.edu/ecco.

The Volunteers in Medicine of Monroe County (VIM) program began in April of 2007. It provides free medical services to low income, uninsured Indiana residents of Monroe and Owen County. The Community Eye Care Center of Indiana University School of Optometry has partnered with VIM to provide free comprehensive vision care and reduced cost eyeglasses to those who qualify. Contact the VIM program to see whether you qualify for services.

Correctional Medical Services (CMS) contracts with correctional facilities to provide medical care for inmates. The Indiana University School of Optometry works with CMS to provide optometric services at three Indiana Department of Correction facilities--the Indiana Juvenile Correctional Facility (IJCF), the Plainfield Re-Entry Educational Facility (PREF), and the Plainfield Correctional Facility (PCF). Our doctors and student interns travel to each of the facilities one day per month.

In 2007, IU School of Optometry doctors and interns provided care to 675 inmates.

Healthnet, Inc. is a network of community health centers "whose mission is to improve lives with compassionate health care and support services, regardless of ability to pay." The Indiana University School of Optometry provides comprehensive vision care at each of Healthnet's five clinics.

Over 227 Healthnet patients received vision care and eyeglasses from IU School of Optometry doctors and student interns in 2007.

The Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital is one of six Indiana psychiatric hospitals (SPHs) accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Long-term services are provided to children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance, adults of all ages with serious mental illness, and adults with chronic addictive disorders. Persons with developmental disabilities and those with mental illness also receive care there.

Indiana University School of Optometry doctors and student interns provided 150 patients of Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital with comprehensive vision care and 115 pairs of glasses in 2007. Services are provided every Monday.

Especially Kidz Health and Rehabilitation Center is a home for severely retarded and disabled individuals. Indiana University School of Optometry doctors and student interns visit the facility every four months to provide vision care to its residents.

In 2007 IU School of Optometry doctors and student interns provided vision care to 50 patients during their three visits to the facility.

Wheeler Mission Ministries (WMM) provides homeless males of Indianapolis with shelter, meals, clothing, rehabilitation, and health care. Since 2006, the Indiana University School of Optometry has provided on-site comprehensive vision care services and access to low cost eye glasses.

During the IU School of Optometry clinicians' six visits in 2007 to WMM, 50 patients received vision care and eyeglasses.

The Rural Health Clinic Program of the Indiana University School of Optometry provides eye care services and low cost eye glasses to low income, uninsured individuals at four existing rural health clinic sites in Campbellsburg, Clay City, English, and Jeffersonville, Indiana.

In 2007, there were 209 patient encounters in the rural health clinic program, as well as 75 pair of glasses dispensed.

According to its Web site, InfantSEE® is "a public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care . . . . Under this program . . . member optometrists will provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment within the first year of life as a no-cost public health service." The Indiana University School of Optometry is an active participant in the InfantSEE® program, having provided 125 comprehensive eye examinations for children under the age of one in 2007.

Additionally, the IU School of Optometry provided vision screening for 1068 kindergarten and first graders at 15 Bloomington schools and 12 schools in Indianapolis in 2007. These screenings help identify students who need eyeglasses or other interventions to help them function at their highest level in school and, thus, later in life.