The Time for Specialty Care Collaboration is Now: How the Consortium of Student-Led Eye Clinics Makes the Case

Abstract

The Consortium of Student Led Eye Clinics (CSLEC) was founded in 2021 as a part of the Editorial Fellowship offered by the Journal of Student Run Free Clinics (JSRC), to increase collaboration between vision screening programs in the United States. So far, the CSLEC has recruited over a dozen programs, initiating a mentorship process to pair new organizations with long-established clinics. The CSLEC has also worked to generate bi-monthly workshops highlighting different operational strategies and insights from member institutions. With a multi-institution research team, a comprehensive survey has been an ongoing priority to assess baseline characteristics of vision screening programs, including from non-CSLEC member institutions. Ultimately, to further optimize and standardize operations across vision screening programs, the CSLEC seeks to incorporate the expertise of all member institutions to integrate consensus-based decision making to serve as a legitimate source of access to eye care, ultimately to identify and treat vision-threatening illness in populations without stable access.