A Study On Students Referred To The Ferris State University College Of Optometry Clinic From The Residence Hall Vision Screenings, Fall Quarter, 1992-93

The residence hall vision screenings at Ferris state University are aimed towards: (1) Giving third-year optometry students an opportunity to refine their technical skills, (2) Encouraging FSU students to maintain a consistent pattern for regular eye care and
educating them about the importance of this, and (3) As an added bonus, the screenings bring some new patients into the FSU Optometry Clinic. It should be realized that these screenings are not intended primarily to bring new patients into the clinic. Obviously, however, the more students who respond to their referral by seeking regular eye care, the better. Therefore, if something such as a follow-up letter can increase the number of students who seek regular eye care, especially at FSU, the more beneficial it would be. This retrospective study was aimed towards determining the effectivity of the residence hall vision screenings at bringing in new patients to the clinic, to determine whether sending a follow-up letter to referred students helped to bring more students into the clinic, or even just prompted them to go elsewhere for regular eye care. Also, the study was to determine whether having vision care insurance affected the choice to come to FSU vs. elsewhere for eye care. The motivation for doing this study was to
promote the idea to the students of the importance of regular (e.g. every 2 years) eye examinations, as well as to bring more people into the FSU Optometry Clinic so as to benefit the student clinicians by giving them more patient exposure.