The Illinois Eye Institute is involved in numerous community outreach programs to support the needs of citizens throughout Chicagoland and beyond. While the Vision of Hope Health Alliance program is our largest and most recognized program, we get involved and give back in many ways.
Community Advisory Board
The Illinois College of Optometry has established a Community Advisory Board that includes representatives from local organizations, schools, churches who gather as needed to discuss community-related information. Pilgrim Baptist Church, the Mid-South Planning & Development Commission, the Greater Chicago Neighborhoods, the Near South Planning Board, and Olivet Baptist Church are just several examples of organizations that participate.
Developmental Disabilities Service (DDS)
The DDS is committed to serving developmentally disabled patients with the fullest extent of services possible, as well as training future doctors to meet the multiple eye/vision care needs of special populations. Services are provided at the IEI and at the Victor C. Neumann Association. IEI faculty and students also coordinate and participate each year in the provision of vision and eye health screenings as well as eyewear for Special Olympians.
Illinois School for the Visually Impaired
Twice a year, IEI faculty and residents travel to Jacksonville, Illinois to provide low vision services to the children at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. Sponsored by the Lyons, the children are provided with any low vision devices required to assist them with their education and daily activities.
InfantSEE
This initiative of the American Optometric Association ensures that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness to improve a child's quality of life. Comprehensive infant eye assessments are provided as a public health service within the first year of life at no cost to the patient/family.
Junior Olympics
IEI sponsors sports vision screenings for the Junior Olympic games each summer. IEI students and faculty evaluate each athlete's visual system in relation to his/her particular sport.
Low Vision Rehabilitation Service (LVRS)
When vision loss cannot be restored through medical or surgical treatment, the LVRS helps patients attain the highest level of improved vision for independent living despite the visual limitations. Through grant funding, low-income seniors are provided optical and non-optical devices not covered by Medicare to enhance their ability to perform daily activities. Additionally, IEI faculty and students make visits twice per year to the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired in Jacksonville, IL to provide low vision services to children.
Special Olympics
IEI has long been the official provider of eye care for the Special Olympics. IEI students and faculty attend the Opening Eyes and Medfest vision screenings each year and, working with several sponsoring ophthalmic organizations, provide protective eyewear and glasses to athletes free of charge.
Vision of Hope Health Alliance (VOHHA)
VOHHA provides comprehensive eye care to uninsured, low-income adults—largely referred to the IEI by partner agencies—and helps to connect these patients, as needed, to primary healthcare providers. VOHHA patients receive comprehensive examinations, follow-up care including diagnostic testing, eyeglasses/other devices, and personalized health information.
Vision Screenings
IEI provides free vision screening services at schools and events in the Chicagoland area. For more information, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Wyles at ewyles@ico.edu.
Vision Therapy Clinic
More than just seeing objects clearly, vision involves collecting information through our eyes and processing the information so that it has meaning. The IEI’s Vision Therapy Clinic offers a progressive program of vision procedures to help patients develop or improve fundamental visual skills and abilities, improve visual comfort, ease and efficiency, and/or change how a patient processes or interprets visual information.
VSP Pediatric Outreach Program (POP)
The VSP POP provides comprehensive vision care for high-risk children from birth to five years of age at early intervention programs throughout Chicago. Once per week, faculty and students visit an agency to perform eye examinations to measure visual acuity, eye teaming skills, refractive condition and ocular health. Any prescribed eyeglasses are delivered to the children at their agency. VSP has made a multi-year commitment to this program.
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