Access to vision care is something many people take for granted, but for others, it remains out of reach. Barriers such as cost, transportation, and lack of insurance continue to prevent individuals from receiving even basic eye care, often affecting their ability to work, learn, and stay safe in everyday environments.
At Wake Forest University School of Medicine, a group of students identified this gap and took action. Through a student-led initiative known as Project Screening Eyes and Education (SEE), they are working to bring vision care directly into the community, offering free screenings, prescription glasses, and access to follow-up care.
A Student-Led Response to a Real Community Need
Project SEE was launched in 2024 by medical students Walter Duy and Pinyu Chen after recognizing how many people in their community were living with untreated vision problems. After their graduation, the initiative was taken forward by students Jaelen King and Avery Kerwin, who have continued to expand its reach.
The goal of the program is straightforward: remove barriers to vision care by making services accessible, immediate, and free. Instead of requiring appointments or referrals, community members can attend screening events and receive care on-site.
These screenings assess visual acuity and overall eye health, and for those who need correction, prescription glasses are provided at no cost. The program also connects individuals to ophthalmology services when further care is required.
The Reality Behind the Vision Gap
For many attendees, Project SEE represents their first interaction with an eye care provider. According to student organizers, the reasons are consistent: lack of insurance, inability to take time off work, and limited access to transportation.
“These aren’t excuses — they’re barriers. And for people whose jobs already put them close to hazardous tools, chemicals, machinery and fast-paced environments, the ability to see clearly can be the difference between going home safely and not going home at all.”
— Jaelen King, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
These challenges highlight what organizers describe as a “vision gap” — the disconnect between recognizing a need for care and actually receiving it. This gap affects both adults and children, often with long-term consequences.
As Kerwin explains, vision plays a critical role in how children learn, interact, and develop. When left unaddressed, even simple vision problems can affect educational progress and overall well-being.
Delivering Care Directly to the Community
Project SEE removes many of the traditional barriers to care by bringing services directly to accessible locations such as the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Downtown Health Plaza in Winston-Salem. Screenings are offered multiple times throughout the year and are open to both adults and children.
One of the defining features of the program is its simplicity. Registration is not required, and attendees can walk in and receive a screening. This approach makes it easier for individuals who might otherwise delay or avoid care altogether.
The impact is often immediate. Students involved in the program describe moments when individuals realize they will receive glasses for the first time, seeing a visible shift in confidence and relief.
Kerwin notes that while a pair of glasses does not solve every challenge, it removes a significant barrier, allowing people to function more effectively in their daily lives.
Measured Impact and Community Reach
Since May 2025, Project SEE has screened more than 250 adults and children, with approximately 100 individuals receiving free prescription glasses. In addition, more than 20 participants have been referred for further care, ensuring that more complex conditions are addressed beyond the initial screening.
The program’s impact extends beyond those directly served. It also builds capacity within the healthcare system by training future providers. So far, 37 medical students have been trained to perform eye exams, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to community care.
Building a Model for Accessible Vision Care
Project SEE is part of the Schweitzer Fellowship, a program focused on addressing gaps in healthcare access through community-driven initiatives. With support from partners including Northwest AHEC and the Department of Ophthalmology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the program continues to grow.
All clinical activities are overseen by the Department of Ophthalmology, ensuring that screenings are conducted safely and that patients receive appropriate guidance when additional care is needed.
The model demonstrates how targeted, community-based initiatives can make a measurable difference in access to vision care. By meeting people where they are, both physically and financially, programs like Project SEE help bridge the gap between need and treatment.
Why Access to Vision Care Still Matters
For individuals who receive care through Project SEE, the impact is often immediate and deeply personal. Organizers report hearing from participants who, after receiving glasses, simply say, “I can see now.”
These moments reflect a broader reality: vision is fundamental to how people navigate the world, yet access to care remains uneven. While systemic solutions are still needed, initiatives like this provide a practical and scalable way to improve outcomes in the short term.
Tools used in structured screening environments, including standardized vision screening tools, can support early detection. However, as this program demonstrates, the real impact comes when detection is paired with immediate access to care.
