A New Vision for Accessible Eye Care in South Los Angeles
For many South Los Angeles residents, receiving an eye exam is not as simple as scheduling an appointment.
The cost of care, limited insurance coverage, transportation challenges, and difficulty completing referrals to outside specialists can make vision services hard to access. Uninsured and underinsured adults, older adults, and patients living with diabetes may be especially affected.
When screenings and treatment are delayed, manageable eye conditions can progress and potentially lead to vision loss.
Universal Community Health Center is working to make eye care easier to access within the same trusted healthcare setting where patients already receive care.
UCHC has submitted its Integrated Teleoptometry Program for consideration in the 2026 LA2050 Grants Challenge. The proposed program would expand UCHC’s existing vision services and help more South Los Angeles residents access comprehensive eye care.
The project is currently seeking support and has not yet been announced as an LA2050 grant recipient.
Building on UCHC’s Existing Vision Services
UCHC currently provides diabetic retinal exams to help identify potential eye complications among patients living with diabetes.
Diabetic retinopathy can damage the blood vessels in the retina and may lead to vision loss. Because the condition may not cause noticeable symptoms during its early stages, regular retinal screenings are an important part of diabetes management.
Under the proposed program, diabetic retinal screenings would continue to be incorporated into diabetes-management visits. UCHC would also expand its services to include vision screenings, comprehensive eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, coordinated care plans, and access to affordable corrective lenses.
By bringing more vision services into a familiar clinical setting, UCHC could identify concerns earlier and help patients receive the appropriate follow-up care.
How Teleoptometry Would Work
Teleoptometry uses technology to connect patients with licensed optometrists remotely while still providing in-person assistance at the clinic.
During an in-person visit, trained UCHC staff would collect patient information and capture diagnostic images. A licensed optometrist would then review the information remotely and provide exam results, prescriptions, and recommended care plans.
Two UCHC medical assistants would be trained as ophthalmic technicians to support diagnostic imaging and prepare patients for their exams.
This approach would combine remote clinical expertise with in-person support from UCHC team members. It would also allow patients to receive more comprehensive eye care without having to travel to a separate provider.
Making Corrective Lenses More Accessible
Receiving an eye exam is only one part of addressing a patient’s vision needs. For many individuals and families, the cost of filling an eyeglass prescription can create an additional barrier.
The proposed program would include an on-site glasses dispensary and access to affordable corrective lenses. Services would be offered on a sliding-fee scale to help make care more accessible to patients with limited insurance coverage or financial resources.
Together, these services would create a more complete vision care experience, helping patients move from screening and diagnosis to receiving the glasses and follow-up care they need.
Creating a Healthier Future for South Los Angeles
The Integrated Teleoptometry Program would primarily serve uninsured and underinsured adults, older adults experiencing changes in their vision, patients living with diabetes, and South Los Angeles residents who have struggled to access outside vision providers.
If implemented, the program is projected to directly serve approximately 465 people and indirectly benefit an additional 1,393 community members.
Its impact could include helping residents receive their first comprehensive eye exam, connecting patients with affordable glasses, and identifying diabetic eye conditions before they result in preventable vision loss.
The project could also provide a model for other community health centers seeking to close specialty-care gaps by bringing more coordinated services into one trusted healthcare environment.
Expanding optometry is part of UCHC’s broader commitment to integrated, whole-person care and its long-term goal of making essential services easier to access in South Los Angeles.
Dr. Edgar Chavez, UCHC’s Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Medical Officer, believes expanding access to vision services is an important part of providing whole-person care in South Los Angeles.
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His perspective reflects UCHC’s commitment to identifying healthcare gaps and developing practical solutions that bring essential services closer to the patients and communities it serves.
Help Bring This Vision to Life
UCHC’s Integrated Teleoptometry Program is currently under consideration through the 2026 LA2050 Grants Challenge, which supports ideas that can help create a healthier and more equitable future for Los Angeles County.
Community members can learn more about UCHC’s complete proposal on the LA2050 website.
Supporters can also make a one-time or monthly donation through Pledge to support UCHC’s efforts to expand accessible and coordinated healthcare.
UCHC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four-Star Charity with a 90% rating. Readers can view UCHC’s Charity Navigator profile to learn more about its mission and financial accountability.
At UCHC, we believe a person’s ZIP code, income, or insurance status should not determine whether they can access essential eye care. With continued community support, we can move closer to a future where every patient has the opportunity to see clearly and live well.
