Dr. Paul D. Halpern, Norristown optometrist, and two other doctors, David R. McPhillips of Horsham, and Christine Chmielewski of Doylestown, presented a program, Nov. 14, to the ophthalmology residents of University of Haiti at the University Medical School in Port au Prince, Haiti.

Representing Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity of Pennsylvania (VOSH-PA) the doctors lectured on the creation of community outreach programs utilizing local non-technical people to go into communities to screen for basic eye health issues such as blurred vision, red eyes, cataracts, double vision, ocular pain, etc. and refer the people to local clinics, hospitals, and doctors for care.

These screeners also would be trained to sell basic reading glasses from a supply provided free of charge by VOSH-PA.

The Haitian people served generally have no access to professional eye care, according to press information.

These “readers” or off-the-shelf reading glasses represent the difference between being able to read one’s Bible or not, sew with a needle and thread or not. The presence of the trained outreach screeners will help get persons with eye disease to proper medical care, adds the information.

In addition, these screeners have the opportunity to supplement their incomes through the sale of the reading glasses.

Dr. Halpern and his wife Anita recently lead a five-day mission of 13 volunteers to Milot, Haiti. during which 1,965 people were examined.