Free eye clinic this week in Kona
Hawaii County, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, the state Department of Health and community partners, is hosting a free eye clinic today through Friday in Kailua-Kona.
This joint initiative, called Tropic Vision Care, is supported by the DOD’s Innovative Readiness Training and aims to offer approximately 250 eye exams and to prescribe and fabricate glasses for those in need while providing over 100 hours of training experience to U.S. Army medical personnel.
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The free eye clinic is 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the Kealakehe Health Center Pavilion at the Hawaii Island Community Health Center, located at 74-5214 Keanalehu Dr. in Kailua-Kona.
The clinic is for anyone age 5 or older, and no ID or insurance is required.
While walk-ins are welcomed upon availability (first come, first served), individuals are encouraged to call the Hawaii District Health Office (808) 974-6480 to make appointments.
“We are pleased to announce that this innovative DOD initiative is returning to Hawaii County,” Mayor Mitch Roth said in press release. “Having healthy eyes is so important to both keiki and adults as quality vision impacts their daily lives. The County is grateful to our partners for coming together and making this year’s Tropic Vision Care possible”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vision loss affects 93 million adults and is among the top 10 causes of disability in the U.S.
Evidence suggests that early detection and treatment can prevent much blindness and vision impairment.
“This initiative to promote eye care supports the Department of Health’s mission which is to improve the health of all people in Hawaii,” Hawaii District Health Officer John Kolman, who leads the Tropic Vision Care, said in the release. “We are very fortunate to have received an offer to use the facility at Hawaii Island Community Health Center and to have their community outreach support.”
Additionally, this year’s Tropic Vision Care is generously supported by Community First Hawaii and Project Vision Hawaii.
