Cataract and glaucoma screenings, education provided to Atlanta community

Free cataract and glaucoma screenings, as well as eye-health education, were held at a local Wal-Mart Supercenter, renewing a charity partnership established at last year's American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting between Women's Ophthalmologists of New England (WONE), Maria Aaron, MD, Atlanta, and ISTA Pharmaceuticals.

WONE founders, Bonnie Henderson, MD, and Laura Fine, MD, both of Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, gave back to the community by hosting the event and ensuring screened patients could get follow-up care through a local colleague.

One patient in particular presented with an IOP of 23 mm Hg in his left eye and a cup-to-disc ratio of 0.7/.08.

"This patient is losing his vision but had been lost to follow-up," Dr. Henderson said. "Our 'wake-up call' will get him reconnected with the Emory Eye Center and the care he needs."

The team also saw several children who were receiving eye examinations for the first time.

Plans are being made for a larger 3rd annual screening event in San Francisco.