MedWorks' first-ever vision-only clinic at Quicken Loans Arena last Wednesday proved to be quite successful. So much so that it also illustrated the need for more free or affordable vision care in the area.

"We served over 900 people with exams or glasses," says MedWorks office manager Alyson Andrassy. "We anticipated up to 800 people. We had to turn away 500 people."

Optometrists, opticians and ophthalmologists from all over Ohio volunteered their time, while the equipment for the eye exams was donated by Optics Inc. as well as Onesight. Patients had more than 2,000 donated frames from which to choose. Roughly 180 volunteers, from students to doctors, made the event happen.

MedWorks has been trying to accommodate the people who were turned away last week, as well as re-assure those who were seen by doctors but did not get their glasses that their specs will be delivered to them soon. "The phone has been ringing off the hook," says Andrassy. "For those who were not able to be seen, we're setting them up with our partner organizations to be seen as soon as possible."

For now, Andrassy is referring people to Vision USA, an organization run by the American Optometric Association that provides vision care to those who do not qualify for government aid or private insurance.

Given the success of the vision clinic, MedWorks hopes to organize future clinics, perhaps on a yearly basis.


Source: Alyson Andrassy
Writer: Karin Connelly