Some 29 volunteer ophthalmologists examined 499 individuals recently as part of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's first EyeSmart EyeCheck vision screening, a program created to detect eye disease and visual impairment. Because of findings from research conducted by the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES) revealed that Latinos have higher rates of visual impairment, the AAO decided to offer its first EyeSmart program at the Family Health Fair hosted by Lady Queen of Angels Church in downtown Los Angeles. More than 50 percent of the patients were afflicted by some type of visual impairment and 70 percent needed follow-up care.
