For many of us, being able to see clearly is something we rarely think twice about. We put on our glasses or contacts in the morning, drive to work, read a prescription, or recognize a familiar face, and go about our day. But for someone who cannot afford an eye exam or a new pair of glasses, blurry vision can become much more than an inconvenience. It can affect their ability to work, drive safely, care for their family, and navigate everyday life.
That is why the growth of Lubbock Impact’s Eye Clinic is so significant.
Serving uninsured adults ages 19–64, Lubbock Impact’s Eye Clinic has undergone tremendous growth and rejuvenation in recent months. What was once a clinic unable to accept new patients because of an overwhelming waiting list has now enlisted the help of multiple optometrists who volunteer their time throughout the week to help meet this overwhelming need in our community.
Much of that growth has been championed by former Clinic Director Diane Taylor, who now is volunteering time and expertise in creating a more efficient Eye Clinic and recruiting additional providers to serve the hundreds of people in need of eye care.
Dr. Cathy Wittman has been one of those providers, giving her time and expertise to the clinic. She first connected with Lubbock Impact when Holly Reeves, Lubbock Impact board member, stopped by to introduce herself and share more about the organization. For Dr. Wittman, the decision to volunteer was simple: it was an opportunity to use her training and experience to serve her community. “Everyone should find a way to give their time to the people of Lubbock,” she shared. When Dr. Wittman first became involved with the Eye Clinic, the space looked very different from what it is today. “The exam and the frame selection were performed in the same room, which was also used for storage,” she recalled. “It felt cramped even though the room was large.”
However, the greatest challenge wasn’t simply the physical space, it was the number of people waiting for care. At one point, the clinic’s waiting list stretched months into the future, leaving Dr. Wittman with a strong sense of urgency. Watching the clinic grow and begin to welcome more providers has been, in her words, “somewhat of a relief.”
Current clinic improvements include equipment such as a retinal camera and auto-refractor that were purchased in part through a grant from the Lubbock Lions Club.
Access to vision care can easily be overlooked when considering the needs of working families, but for someone living paycheck to paycheck, even a discounted eye exam and glasses may be financially out of reach. Dr. Wittman points out that while Lubbock has many discount optical options, advertised prices can come with exclusions—and progressive lenses or bifocals can cost significantly more. For those who do not qualify for Medicaid but still cannot afford traditional eye care, there can be very few options. “Cost and transportation” are two of the biggest barriers she sees among the patients at Lubbock Impact.
The consequences of going without care can be significant. Dr. Wittman has seen patients whose vision was poor enough that they were not meeting the Department of Public Safety standards for driving. Being unable to drive can limit someone’s ability to work, attend appointments, care for their family, and maintain independence.
Sometimes, a pair of glasses can change far more than someone’s ability to read an eye chart. For Dr. Wittman, volunteering at Lubbock Impact is also deeply personal. Having grown up poor and once qualifying for assistance herself, she understands what it means to need services and resources that may otherwise be inaccessible. “It is a privilege to be able to provide care to someone without access,” she said. That perspective shapes the way she approaches each patient—with compassion, patience and an understanding that every person who walks through the clinic’s doors has a story. “I am glad to be in a profession where I can give back,” she shared. And that is exactly what she is doing. By giving her time and expertise, Dr. Wittman is helping people see more clearly and helping remove one more barrier standing between them and the lives they want to live.
Perhaps the most powerful part of the Eye Clinic isn’t the equipment, the improved workflow, or even the growing number of providers. It’s what happens when a patient leaves with the ability to see clearly again. For someone who has been struggling to see, something as simple as a new pair of glasses can mean being able to drive safely, read a document, perform their job, or simply see the faces of the people they love. And now, because of the dedication of volunteers like Dr. Wittman and Diane Taylor, more uninsured adults in our community have access to that care.
When asked what she would say to another medical professional considering volunteering at Lubbock Impact, Dr. Wittman didn’t hesitate. “The eye clinic has become very organized and well run,” she said, which allows providers to focus on what they do best: caring for patients.
For Dr. Wittman, providing eye exams at Lubbock Impact simply makes sense. She has been looking for a way to serve, and this is a place where she can use the training and experience, she has spent years developing to make a difference in the lives of her neighbors. Because sometimes, serving our community means helping someone see what has been right in front of them all along.