Coordinating eye and primary medical care in a low-income and uninsured population: the experience of the Vision of Hope Health Alliance.

Purpose: The Vision of Hope Health Alliance (VOHHA) was developed to provide an integrated system of eye and primary medical services to low-income and uninsured patients who were referred from nonmedical and medical agencies.

Methods: Partnerships were formed to facilitate patient referrals. Eye examinations and ophthalmic materials were provided at no cost to patients. Interpretation services and follow-up care were provided as needed. If applicable, patients were scheduled with a primary care physician at a Federally Qualified Health Center. Findings were documented by VOHHA team members or obtained through retrospective record review.

Results: Over a 2-year period, 1,753 patients were examined. About half (52.5%) were women. Most (80%) were black or Hispanic. Average age was 49.4 years (range, 18 to 83). Of those with diabetes mellitus (DM), 30.9% reported a last eye examination within 15 months. Of those without DM, 23.6% reported last eye examination within 15 months. Most (60%) reported last medical examination to be within 1 year. Most (85.7%) received spectacle prescriptions. Follow-up eye care appointments were kept by 367. Appointments with primary care physicians were scheduled for 165. Of those, 121 kept appointments.

Conclusions: VOHHA demonstrated a model program that provided eye care and referral for primary medical care to individuals without the means to otherwise obtain care.