The Scheie Eye Institute is committed to making an impact through various service initiatives in the community. Our faculty and trainees travel throughout Philadelphia and across the globe to care for underserved populations, providing free eye care and health screenings.
Penn Sight Savers
Penn Sight Savers is a student-run program that educates the community on the importance of regular eye exams, and offers free glaucoma screenings to patients across Philadelphia. Medical students collaborate with Scheie glaucoma specialists to host screening stations at local health fairs and community events. During these events, students and physicians assess the patient's vision, specifically screening for glaucoma. These assessments inform patients when they should seek more advanced screenings and/or treatment.
Puentes de Salud
Puentes de Salud, a healthcare clinic that treats the Latino population of Philadelphia, accommodates 10,000 visits each year. This center includes an eye clinic, where Scheie physicians and medical students frequently volunteer their time. In the clinic, our physicians and students provide comprehensive ophthalmic care to patients who are often uninsured and undocumented.
For questions or for more information on Puentes de Salud, please contact info@puentesdesalud.org.
Community Screening Events
Several times a year, Scheie faculty and staff organize various screening events across Philadelphia. These events provide free health and eye screenings, typically for glaucoma or low vision, and offer visual device giveaways, educational materials, and other health and wellness related resources to members of the community.
To learn about partnership opportunities or for more information about Scheie's screening events, please contact Marquis Vaughn at 215-662-8023.
Vision Loss Support Group
The Penn Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation's Vision Loss Support Group provides support to patients with no remaining surgical or medical options to improve their declining vision. Meetings consist of individuals with a range of visual abilities, all of whom share a desire for emotional support and encouragement.
The group hosts occasional guest speakers who share knowledge on various topics, including the assistive devices and technologies available for patients with vision loss. In addition to guest speakers, participants hold valuable open discussion during meetings.
International Travel
Faculty have traveled to 30+ countries in the past five years to treat desperately underserved populations.