Future Optometrists Practice Whole-Patient Care Beyond Houston
$50,000 grant from Sid W. Richardson Foundation supports UHCO’s community-care initiatives

Expanding access to high-quality care is at the heart of the University of Houston College of Optometry. At the Community Eye Clinic in Fort Worth, which the college operates in partnership with the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry, that mission comes to life every day.

At the clinic, fourth-year optometry students and an ocular disease resident gain hands-on experience in delivering comprehensive vision and medical eye care to Tarrant County residents who face barriers to healthcare access.

A recent $50,000 grant from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation directly supported this work, allowing the clinic to log 4,700 patient encounters. The funding helped facilitate opportunities for future optometrists to address whole-patient health, addressing a vital community need as 70% of those served had no established primary care provider or medical home.

“For many of our patients, the CEC is actually their first stop,” said Dr. Jennifer Deakins, Clinical Associate Professor and Clinic Director at the Community Eye Clinic. “When a patient comes in for a routine eye exam, we might spot signs of diabetes in the eye before they even know they have it. Support from the grant allowed us to make sure our patients get connected to primary care homes for preventive health.”

More Than Textbook Education

In addition to direct patient care, the grant supports UH Optometry’s mission of immersing students in clinical settings that serve patients with complex medical and social needs while recognizing eye care as an entry point into the broader healthcare system.

Working under faculty supervision, student clinicians identified more than 300 patients with diabetic eye disease and managed 1,000 total encounters for diabetic retinal care during the 1-year grant period. The team also facilitated nearly 500 direct referrals to partner clinics in Fort Worth so patients could establish ongoing medical care.

To support broader social and mental health needs, the clinic nearly 50 referrals to organizations such as the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Lighthouse for the Blind, and MHMR of Tarrant County. Community partners in Fort Worth also referred more than 500 new patients to the clinic, building a two-way safety net for those in need of resources.

Through participation in this integrated care model, clinicians gained experience identifying barriers to care, coordinating referrals, and supporting patients who often lack traditional access to healthcare resources.

“If a student cares for a patient in their time of greatest need, they will remember it,” Dr. Deakins said. “Students learn best when they have an emotional connection to the patient and the work. Their experience often fuels their desire to be a compassionate doctor and reminds them why they entered the profession.”

In fact, many recent graduates of the program choose to remain in North Texas to begin clinical practice, with many continuing to provide charitable care or serve vulnerable populations throughout their careers.

Three Decades of Community Care in Dallas-Fort Worth

UH Optometry's presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area began 30 years ago when the college first placed student externs at the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic to serve under-resourced neighborhoods in Dallas.

Recognizing that Fort Worth residents facing financial barriers could not easily travel across the Metroplex for care, UHCO partnered with UIW’s Rosenberg School of Optometry to expand the community-based model in Tarrant County by establishing the Community Eye Clinic. The college also operates a second Fort Worth location inside the Northside Community Health Center.  

The generosity of philanthropic partners, including funds from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation for the Community Eye Clinic, allows UH Optometry to train future leaders to deliver integrated care to those who need it most.

"The Sid W. Richardson Foundation embodies what the Fort Worth community does best when it comes to stepping up to pool resources and serving neighbors," Dr. Deakins said. "This support allows UHCO and its community clinics to operate at the highest level of care for our patients and the highest level of education for our students."