UAB Eye Care Celebrates Milestone: 2,000th Patient Treated at 2023 Gift of Sight Event

During its biggest giving event, Gift of Sight, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Optometry treated its 2,000th patient. Community Eye Care, the school’s community outreach arm, coordinated the annual event while celebrating its 50th anniversary of providing vision screenings and comprehensive eyecare to underserved communities.

CEC director Janene Sims, O.D., says celebrating 50 years of CEC and treating 2,000 patients is important because it shows UAB’s commitment to quality eye care in the Birmingham community.

“We have been working to make patients aware of how ocular health impacts overall health in the Birmingham Metro for the past five decades,” Sims said. “Our school is committed to providing quality eye care to the underserved. Community eye care is part of our optometric curriculum.”

Sims says annual eye exams are important because ocular health impacts overall health. This is why the CEC is important in providing individuals with the care they need for little to no cost.

“Many conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes can show signs in the blood vessels and the retina if there are problems going on systemically,” Sims said. “That’s why annual dilated eye exams are so important.”

Since the Gift of Sight program began in 2014, CEC has provided its services and glasses at no charge to patients with the support of donations from partners, sponsors, donors and volunteers during the holiday season.

“We are thankful for our partnerships with other eye care providers, local businesses and alumni who all play a role in the impact the CEC makes on people’s lives,” Sims said.