Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and UR Medicine Flaum Eye Institute – two leaders in vision care for the Rochester region – are collaborating to improve access to best-in-class vision care in the City of Rochester. 

Goodwill Vision Enterprises, formerly known as Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Flaum Eye Institute will work together to improve eye care with the expansion of low-vision care within the Sterns Center for Low Vision at 500 S. Clinton Ave., and the Feb. 13 opening of a comprehensive eye care center to serve residents of neighborhoods with limited access to this care.

“We have an obligation to ensure that we prevent blinding conditions and must do our part so all community members—including those who are uninsured—have access to routine care,” said Goodwill CEO and President  Jen Lake. “This is such an important moment in time for our organization, and we are proud of our history of serving those who have low vision or are blind. This represents a new chapter for us, alongside UR Medicine Flaum Eye Institute.”

In addition to providing low-vision evaluations for individuals referred to Goodwill Vision Enterprises, Flaum will offer comprehensive eye care in the heart of downtown Rochester. There will be optometric care, screening exams for diabetes, cataracts, and glaucoma, and opportunities to obtain glasses and contact lenses. 

“This is a joint effort that makes sense for both organizations. It advances our shared mission of delivering eye care to our community and working to preserve sight,” said  Dr. David DiLoreto, director of the Flaum Eye Institute and chair of Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

The newly renovated 5,300-square-foot suite includes six exam rooms, procedure rooms, an optical shop, and a spacious waiting area and Flaum will introduce technology upgrades, including electronic medical records, to ensure continuity of care. Four rooms will be dedicated to comprehensive eye care and two rooms will be dedicated to low-vision exams on a daily basis.

“This new site allows us to increase capacity for low-vision evaluations and minimize delays for Goodwill participants. And adding the comprehensive eye care center in the South Wedge neighborhood ensures residents have equal access to eye care,” said Dr. Christine Coward, director of the new center and chief of Flaum Eye Institute’s Comprehensive Ophthalmology & Cataract Services.

This collaborative effort allows Flaum to help reduce delays for low-vision care at the Sterns Center for Vision Care, from approximately six to two weeks and hastens referrals for low-vision rehabilitation services provided by Goodwill.

The low-vision clinic’s hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To make an appointment, call 585-232-1111.  For more information, visit here.

The comprehensive eye care center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and appointments can be made by calling 585-273-3937 (EYES.)