title: Primary eye care management.
abstract: Due to a financial recession in South Africa, the registered nurses (RNs) at an excimer laser center faced dismissal. In order to continue a career in ophthalmology, these nurses needed to create their own income. To this end, a primary eye care (PEC) clinic was established to provide examination and treatment(s) to the underprivileged community with the assistance of local ophthalmologists. The PEC clinic, which provides basic services for a nominal fee, has bridged the gap between excellent private eye care and inadequate government eye care. Since 1999, 791 patients have been examined and 515 surgical procedures have been performed.
authors.affiliation: lasik@eyecare.co.za
authors.forename: Annelize
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Beer
mesh_terms: D003153:Community Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006291:Health Policy; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011331:Private Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D013019:South Africa; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*