ERIE, Pa.—Vision for the Poor reported that a new optical lab and service is now up and running at the Divino Nino Jesus (DNJ) Eye Hospital in Lima, Peru. The new optical lab, funded by Vision for the Poor and Optometry Giving Sight, is expected to provide 8,000 new eyeglasses to poor patients living in Lima and the Amazon rainforest region over the coming year, according to Vision for the Poor, a non-profit organization based here.

“DNJ is a social service eye hospital that provides access to eye and vision care services for the poorest people of Lima,” said Doug Villella, OD, founder of Vision for the Poor.

“Demand for DNJ services has steadily increased and a need for more clinic space and an optical service was needed. In 2014, Vision for the Poor funded the addition of 1,800 square feet of clinical space, and the grant from Optometry Giving Sight funded the optical service which is located in the new space. The optical lab will also provide new eyeglasses to DNJ patients treated at their satellite facility in the Amazon basin town of Loretto.”

Dr. Villella said that Vision for the Poor began working with DNJ in 2013 with the goal to help increase patient capacity from 35,000 patients per year to 60,000. He said this would be achieved by focusing on three pillars to achieve sustainability: high efficiency, high volume and high quality.

“The optical lab will provide high quality optical eyewear to a high volume of patients in a very efficient way,” he said. “Based on our experience in other facilities, patient satisfaction results in a higher number of patient referrals. The increased capacity provides for a higher ratio of paying to non-paying patients, which adds revenue and ultimately a profitable service.”

akarp@jobson.com