The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee counties recently awarded a US $ 27,500 grant to the Florida Lions Eye Clinic. The funding is used to support staff for optometry / ophthalmology in the clinic, a mobile eye clinic and monthly eye screening events.
In addition, United Way orchestrated an additional $ 20,000 donation from an anonymous backer to fund the purchase of equipment used to perform selective laser trabeculoplasty, a form of laser surgery on glaucoma patients. The laser treatments reduce the intraocular pressure and / or prevent a future progressive increase in the intraocular pressure.
The clinic currently serves over 2,000 patients per year, but the unmet need remains great. FLEC is the only free eye clinic in Florida to provide comprehensive ophthalmic services to underserved, uninsured individuals in southwest Florida, including on-site surgeries and referred surgery funding. Partnerships like those with United Way can open up new resources and opportunities to our most vulnerable populations while empowering the wider community as a whole.
Florida Lions Eye Clinic provides free, state-of-the-art eye care to children, families and adults who are underserved, have no health insurance, and meet qualifying guidelines. Working with Lions clubs across the state, the clinic also provides on-site screening and clinical care in many of the underserved areas of southwest Florida. The clinic cares for over 2,000 patients annually and relies on the generosity of its supporters and their donations of time, talent and treasures.
Learn more about the Florida Lions Eye Clinic at www.fllec.org.
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