   Mobile Clinic Provides Eye Care at Six Native American
Reservations
 ative Americans
in Sonoma and Mendocino counties are receiving desperately needed eye-care services
through a mobile optometry clinic that rotates among six rancherias, or reservations. The
clinic is offered by the Sonoma County Indian Health Project (SCIHP) with a $60,000 grant
from TCWF.
The project is designed to measure the need for eye-care services among the
region’s Native American population and to determine whether eye exams can help in
diagnosing non insulin- dependent diabetes — a disease now approaching epidemic
proportions among the area’s tribal members.
"With our clients facing nearly double the age-adjusted rate of diabetes than
[that of] the average U.S. population, premature blindness is a major concern," said
Molin Malicay, SCIHP executive director.
One visitor to the clinic at the Kashia Rancheria was diagnosed with diabetic
retinopathy. His exam, and the resulting referral to an ophthalmologist, will forestall
blindness.
Another patient, an 83-year-old man who had already undergone cataract surgery, learned
that he was suffering from diabetic retinopathy and macular edema after visiting the
mobile clinic in Cloverdale.
And several children have been diagnosed with insulin resistance — an early
warning sign of diabetes. They and their parents have received information at the clinic
about diet and its relationship to diabetes.
A number of cases of diabetes and hypertension have been diagnosed, and 250 pairs of
eyeglasses have been prescribed and delivered to date. In all, nearly 400 Native American
children and adults have taken advantage of the eye-care services.
 "There’s no
question that we identified people in need of health care services whom we wouldn’t
have seen otherwise," said Carol Lightfoot, a nurse-practitioner who supervised
activities at several of the clinics.
The SCIHP is now working with consultants to determine how an ongoing eye-care program
should be structured and staffed.
"Eye care wasn’t a part of our health care service program before, even
though many Native Americans need it and can’t afford it," Malicay said.
"This trial program boosted interest in eye care in our community and showed a clear
need for the service."
Malicay said that he hopes the success of the program will help SCIHP access resources
available from Federal Indian Health Services to further address the problems they have
identified.
"Clearly the program demonstrates the need for eye care and diagnostic
services," said TCWF Program Officer Alicia Procello. "It is also an excellent
health education tool to let SCIHP clients know that diabetes can cause vision problems.
Since oral tradition is part of Native American culture, the clinics are an ideal forum to
provide health education."
|
