Optometrists Donate Eye Exams At Families First

PORTSMOUTH – Four optometrists, supported by several Lions Club volunteers, spent a recent Saturday providing comprehensive eye examinations to patients of Families First Health and Support Center who have diabetes. The exams were provided at no cost to the patients.

Optometrists Craig Hartenstein, Amy Pruszenski, Jaime Belanger and Presley Dickson provided the examinations. This was the ninth annual clinic held at Families First, and some of the doctors have been volunteering since the first clinic in 2010.

Portsmouth Lions Club members Randy Tompkins, Stephan Smith, Amanda Rose and Kim Hislop helped to keep appointments on schedule and facilitate care throughout the event.

Jordan Family Eyecare, Harbor Eyecare Center, Hampton Eyecare Associates and the NH Opthalmic Association donated use of equipment for the day.

Nineteen patients received the eye exams, of whom three were found to have visual abnormalities such as cataracts and glaucoma that require followup. Families First is helping the three patients obtain followup and is helping all patients who need eyeglasses to obtain them.

“The patients were very grateful,” says Mary Malloy, RN, certified diabetes educator at Families First. “Several mentioned that even though they have health insurance, the deductibles are so high that without these volunteers they would have gone without the annual eye exam that is recommended for everyone with diabetes.”

Caption: Presley Dickson, OD, left, was one of four optometrists who donated comprehensive eye exams at Families First Health & Support Center in March.