Free Eye Clinic Opens In Bradenton

From Turning Points: Turning Points recently installed a new Eye Clinic in the Free One Stop Clinic at the Bill Galvano One Stop Center located at 701 17th Ave West in Bradenton.

The Eye Clinic now offers optometry and ophthalmology services and is another extension of the many specialty services that are offered at the One Stop Clinic. The Clinic offers primary care services to qualified Manatee County residents every weekday, along with limited on-site blood tests, and Hepatitis C treatment. These specialty services are also being offered: Audiology, Cardiology, Dermatology, ENT, Gastroenterology, Gynecology, Nephrology, Pharmacy, Podiatry, and Pulmonology.

A complete and thorough eye examination will be offered to One Stop Clinic primary care patients who fail the general eye exam during their primary care visit. The Eye Clinic examination will include and facilitate testing for cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases (from diabetes or other causes), treating minor eye injuries, determining prescriptions, measuring existing prescription glasses, writing prescriptions for new glasses, determining systemic diseases, prescribing medications and referring patients for special tests, surgeries and laser treatments. Photos of the retina and optic nerves will be taken to compare for future exams or to send out to specialists. Prescriptions for glasses can be filled at the Eye Center through the Eye Center Inc Vision Foundation.

“The goal of the Eye Clinic is to prevent blindness amongst our patients and to restore vision”, reports Dr. Linda Christman, MD. The installation of the Eye Clinic was spearheaded by Dr. Christman with major funding granted by the Mary Parker Foundation along with Dr. Mackie and the Eye Center Inc Vision Foundation with equipment donated by the Eye Associates. Collaborations and partnerships include Dr. Allarakhia, the Eye Center, the Eye Associates, Blessings International and Cares America.

The volunteer optometrists and ophthalmologists have already started treating and referring patients for cataracts, glaucoma, blindness, and vision issues pertaining to Diabetes. The volunteers include Dr. Christman, Dr. Caravella, and Dr. Barja. However, more volunteer optometrists, ophthalmologists and assistants are needed. Funding is also needed for ongoing purchases of supplies. The whole team of staff and volunteers at Turning Points are proud to now offer this service to the community.

For more information, contact Margi Dawson at mdawson@tpmanatee.org or visit here.

Images courtesy of Turning Points