Development of a Screening Questionnaire for Referral to a Free Eye Clinic

Abstract

Patients experiencing vision loss have been found disproportionately represented in underserved communities. Our experience at a student-run free eye clinic at the University of Florida College of Medicine has led to the development of a referral screening questionnaire for optimizing patient care and clinic resource use. We describe the design of this questionnaire and protocol followed at our Ophthalmology Specialty Clinic, including considerations for referral to ophthalmology and for subsequent treatment referral. In proposing this screening questionnaire, we aim to highlight important elements of patient care in a free clinic setting, to expand access to ophthalmic services in this population with unique socioeconomic and medical needs.