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Vision |
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One of the main provisions that Remote
Area Medical®
makes available at every expedition is full-service
vision care. This includes basic screening, refracting,
and eye exam. If the patient is found to need eye glasses,
a pair is provided to them if possible. |
The primary purpose of the vision
care team of Remote Area Medical® Rural AMerica and Reach Across AMerica programs
is to provide people with eyeglasses to improve their
present circumstances and to allow them to better see the world around
them. For some, a pair of glasses may allow them to
drive more safely, get a job or better execute their
present job. For others, reading glasses will allow
them to read more comfortably or thread a needle for
the first time in years.
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Volunteer ophthalmologists or optometrists
perform thorough exams in an effort to determine if
there are eye conditions or diseases that need further
attention. Due to the nature of our expeditions, we
can not and should not be considered a patient's primary
source of eye care for conditions that require continuing
attention, such as monitoring pressure in glaucoma
patients. If the doctor finds a serious or threatening
condition, the person is made aware of it and is referred
for follow-up care with a local doctor.
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As part of a thorough eye exam,
we measure the intraocular pressure in patients' eyes,
which screens them for glaucoma.
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After receiving an eye exam and prescription, patients select a new pair of frames. Frames are donated from a number
of sources and are representative of a variety of modern styles. The quality of frames that we are able
to offer often surprises our patients.
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| The RAM mobile optical labs
carry an inventory of lenses and are capable of supplying most common prescriptions of eyeglasses.
New glasses are provided on-site by volunteers operating
the equipment and assembling the glasses. When operating
at capacity, the lab has turned out over 300 pairs of glasses
in one day. |
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On expeditions outside of
the US, pre-made glasses are provided to patients, courtesy
of the Lion's Club. This alleviates the need to make glasses
on-site, and often deeply impacts the quality of life
for villages who have lived with poor vision for much
of their lives. |
| RAM is always searching for more
vision professionals who want to provide care to those in need.
If you are a currently-licensed vision professional in any state,
you are invited to contact
RAM to learn more about volunteering. You may also click SCHEDULE to see our current list of expeditions. |
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