January 29, 2024
Episode 39: Dr. Bryce St Clair, O.D., FAAO
A discussion on
“Beyond the Ophthalmoscope: Setting Up a Free Clinic - Primary Eyecare”
Navigating the challenges of serving the underserved in the USA
Video
Dr. Bryce St. Clair, O.D., FAAO
Overview
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Bryce St Clair, OD, FAAO. As an optometrist, Dr. St Clair has undertaken many initiatives in serving his community. He graduated from The Ohio State University for his Doctor of Optometry and completed a residency in ocular pathology from the University of Houston. He specializes in public health, retinal dystrophies, inherited optic neuropathies, and retinal electrophysiology at the Wilmer Eye Institute. He also serves as a co-director for the institute’s optometry residency. Among the many awards he has won, he has been recognized for his excellence in clinical outreach in 2019 and was voted among the Top Doctors in Baltimore for the years 2022 and 2023.
In this episode, we sit down to chat about how he started his free clinic and how others can do the same!
Key discussion points:
How did you get interested in optometry?
Getting involved in public health and ultimately starting a free vision clinic.
Interest in immigrant refugee populations
“Converting a storage closet into an exam room.”
Anywhere from 40-80 patients
Seeing a critical need and meeting it through preventive medicine
Obtaining equipment donations from retiring doctors
How do you get the word out for accepting donations?
Local optometric association
Social media
Most common vision problems seen in the community.
Refractive errors
Pathologies: amblyopia, keratoconus (especially immigrant/refugee), glaucoma, cataracts, and less so diabetic retinopathy
Partnership with Wilmer to accept referrals.
Obstacles to setting up a free clinic.
Donation of equipment was relatively easier.
The harder part is sustainability.
Staffing
Scheduling
Organization
Tip: If you get buy-ins from non-profits who can help in tasks like billing, teamwork will make things much easier!
Supporting student volunteerism
Importance of incorporating eyecare in underserved clinics.
Advocacy
What is it like referring patients on Medicare/Medicaid?
Many aren’t aware of their eligibility.
NGOs provide assistance and guidance.
Resident clinic offers reduced-cost services.
Working with ophthalmologists in the clinic
What to do and avoid in starting a free clinic
DO
Find need.
Find a group to buy in to your clinic.
Coordinate equipment.
Cover yourself by finding an eyecare provider to validate the examination.
DON’T
Do this alone!
Silo the patient to your preference.
Steal patients away from other physicians unless the patient wants you to be their physician.
Memorable experience
Goals and aspirations for the clinic
Goal: make it sustainable
Grant funding for optometrist salary
Make the clinic a part of a community health clinic atmosphere (more primary health care professions represented)
Provide eye care to remote areas globally.
Episode-based Resources: