UAB Community Eye Care
, the clinical outreach arm of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, will hold its ninth annual Gift of Sight event from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 at the Jefferson County Western Health Center, located at 631 Bessemer Super Highway, Midfield, AL 35228. Gift of Sight provides free comprehensive eye exams and glasses for low-income or underinsured patients who may otherwise not receive vision care or services throughout the year.
UAB Community Eye Care is partnering with VSP Insurance, Remote Area Medical and Changing Lives Through Lenses to host this event.
“Routine eye care is such an important part of your overall health,” said Janene Sims, O.D., Ph.D., associate professor and supervisor for the Family Practice Residency program at the UAB School of Optometry. “Through regular eye exams, health care professionals can detect eye diseases early and take steps to preserve your vision.”
Eye exams will be provided to those who have applied ahead of time. Applications to qualify for the eye exams are available through the UAB School of Optometry. If you are interested in participating in Gift of Sight, please complete this application and upload it here.
Learn more about the services UAB Community Eye Care provides at uab.edu/optometry.
“Although UAB Community Eye Care provides services year-round to people of all ages throughout the state, this event provides an opportunity for all of our faculty and staff in the School of Optometry to come together to serve the amazing people in our community,” Sims said. “We are so honored to be able to give back to the Birmingham community this holiday season and are looking forward to this event.”
In addition to the services provided at Gift of Sight, UAB Community Eye Care provides eye exams at little to no cost to thousands of patients throughout the year at the Western Health Center in Midfield, homeless shelters, outreach centers, reentry programs, and women’s and children’s shelters. UAB Community Eye Care also partners with various campus entities to provide care to underserved residents throughout the Birmingham metro area, as well as the Black Belt communities throughout Alabama.