Opticianry students volunteer to provide vision care to community
Hundreds of individuals and families with little or no access to health care can see a little more clearly now thanks to the efforts of Seattle Central’s Opticianry program. Nine students, under the guidance of dedicated faculty, stepped out of the classroom for a day to volunteer their time and expertise, providing much-needed vision care at no cost during a four-day clinic held at the Seattle Center.
Using a mobile lab, student volunteers conducted vision tests and made 1,000 pairs of glasses, and an additional 200 pairs will be distributed by the college’s Campus Optical shop. The clinic provided a perfect opportunity to put into practice the skills they studied in the classroom. In the process, the students also learned about treating patients with compassion, professionalism and understanding.
“This was an incredibly rewarding experience for our students. It enabled them to use their skills and training to help their fellow Seattleites. More importantly, this was a great opportunity to give back to our community,” said Amy Sabella, instructor and licensed Optician.
The program has a strong history of volunteerism. Students and faculty regularly donate their time to provide vision care, both in Western Washington and around the world, by working with organizations like Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH).
As the only accredited associate degree program on the West Coast, the Opticianry program teaches students a variety of skills to become licensed eye care professionals. They play a critical role in vision care by filling prescriptions, fabricating lenses, maintaining records and providing eye exams.
Want to learn more about our Opticianry program? Or do you need affordable eye care? Call the Opticianry program at 206.934.4347.