BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- UAB's annual "Gift of Sight" event will be held until Dec. 6 at the Jefferson County Western Health Center.
The event is held by UAB Community Eye Care, the community outreach branch of UAB's School of Optometry. The goal of the Gift of Sight event is to provide free eye exams and glasses to underserved patients who may otherwise not have access to vision care services.
“Routine eye checks can give you a glimpse at overall systemic health,” said Janene Sims, O.D., Ph.D., associate professor and supervisor for the Primary Care Residency program at the UAB School of Optometry. “I often tell patients that, through a dilated eye exam, optometrists can see what other doctors treat. Although we don’t prescribe medicines for diabetes and hypertension, eye doctors can identify problems with current therapies. The blood vessels in the eye reflect what is going on in the rest of the body.”
Applications for these exams can be emailed to giftofsight@uab.edu or dropped off at the Western Health Center Eye Clinic.
This year, UAB Community Eye Care is partnering with Live HealthSmart Alabama, Jefferson County Department of Health, VSP Vision Eyes of Hope, Remote Area Medical, Changing Lives Through Lenses and the American Diabetes Association.