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Mission
Our mission is to save and preserve independence by partnering with the community in the assessment, education, research and services for eye problems.

Vision
Excellence in community-oriented vision care and research.

Programs
The Center for Community Ophthalmology is dedicated to developing and implementing model programs that serve two diverse segments of San Diego's population:

• Our county's underserved preschool children
• Seniors diagnosed with macular degeneration

Our signature community ophthalmology focus area is the "Save Our Children's Sight" program in conjunction with the Ratner Children's Eye Center. This comprehensive program is the only one of its kind in the world providing vision screening, exams and follow-up care to children two to six years of age. The "Save Our Children's Sight" program effectively addresses and overcomes the transportation, language, cultural and financial barriers that face most disadvantaged populations. We have successfully reached out to 140 preschool and Head Start locations in San Diego County with the necessary vision care that will prevent long-term vision problems and blindness. Since January 2000, we have screened over 20,000 low-income preschoolers for serious eye disorders. Over 4,000 children were referred for complete eye examinations and glasses, and/or specialist eye-care, as necessary. We also carry out development testing to document the impact of the wearing of glasses on improving the learning potential and development of children.

Our second area of focus is Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in Americans over sixty-five years of age, striking 1 in 5 people. In San Diego alone, an estimated 60,000 suffer with this diseae that attacks the macula, that is the small area of the retina responsible for the sharp central vision needed to read and drive. With no available cure yet for this disease, our researchers at the Shiley Eye Center have developed a six-week self-management program to improve the quality of life for those living with macular degeneration. Our studies showed that approximately one-third of our participants met the criteria for depression, which is almost twice the level of depression one would find in this age group. The program has shown amazing results in fighting the depression thus prompting the continuation and expansion of our self-managed program to prevent depression among those with macular degeneration.

These unique programs have been embraced throughout the community and are improving the quality of life for thousands of San Diego's seniors and young preschool children.