As part of the service mission of the UH College of Optometry, our faculty and students provide counsel and support to the profession in its quest to improve optometric services; to help provide appropriate health education to the public; to help extend care to those segments of society which are underserved; and to provide advice and counsel to the international optometric sector.
UHCO is affiliated with four neighborhood-based satellite healthcare clinics to provide eye and vision care at reduced cost to thousands of individuals within Houston and Dallas. Each day, patients at these clinics have access to a team of caring, well trained optometric professionals who are dedicated to providing the highest quality eye care available. Each clinic provides a range of services, including comprehensive eye examinations as well as diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. Patients can receive prescriptions for both glasses and contact lenses at each location. Eligibility for reduced rates is determined based on a sliding scale. Medicare and Medicaid is accepted in most instances.
As part of an outreach effort to add diversity to the profession of optometry, UHCO coordinates TEXOCOP, a six-week summer enrichment program that is a partnership with Texas Southern University and the University of Texas-Pan American, two universities that have a predominantly disadvantaged student enrollment. From 1988-2007, there have been 404 participants; 210 which have been admitted to UHCO and 37 were admitted to post-graduate, medical, health or other optometry programs. Of the 210 admitted to UHCO, 171 or 85% have graduated and 20 are still enrolled. Financial aid assistance information is given to all students enrolled in TEXOCOP, including academic counseling and test-taking skills.
In 2006, the City of Houston and UHCO partnered to purchase an Airstream medical specialty bus designed specifically to provide eye care to people throughout the greater Houston area. The bus referred to as, the Mobile Eye Institute (MEI), is equipped with the latest in ophthalmic technology, and brings comprehensive on-site vision services to patients in need of optometric care. The city and the college are focusing on assisting those who don't have access to the traditional healthcare system and who are unable to travel to the University Eye Institute or one of its three neighborhood clinics within the Houston area. In case of a natural disaster or any other type of crisis situation, the MEI will be activated as part of the city's emergency response system.
Although it is mostly utilized by students, faculty and alumni, the Weston A. Pettey Library on the second floor of UHCO is open to the public and contains a large collection of publications and research materials specifically pertaining to eye health.
