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HealthNet and community see eye-to-eye

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

Dr. Jennet Ruth Shepherd conducts an eye exam on Doris Perkins on Wednesday at the ShopKo store in Janesville. Perkins’ care will be covered through programs associated with HealthNet.

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Dr. Jennet R. Shepherd

JANESVILLE — Doris Perkins’ last eye exam was three years ago.

Since then, it’s become more of a struggle to drive at night and withstand the glare of fluorescent lights. When her glasses broke recently, she couldn’t see without them, experienced headaches and nausea.

Perkins, 63, Janesville, said good vision and corrective lenses are a must.

“My job depends on it,’’ said the certified nursing assistant/live-in caregiver who administers prescriptions.

“I have to be able to read and drive,” she said.

Although Perkins works full time, she has no health or vision insurance.

She is not alone. In January 2008, the number of U.S. uninsured rose to 47 million, nearly a 5 percent increase since 2005, according to the Census Bureau.

But Perkins is eligible for HealthNet’s vision program.

At the beginning of this year, HealthNet had 100 patients in need of vision care. That number has dropped to 70 because of a grant from the Nowlan and Mouat Foundation, Mercy Health System and ShopKo Eye Care Centers, said Traci Rogers, HealthNet executive director.

The free clinic at 23 W. Milwaukee St. reinstated vision care in 2006 after ending it in 2004 because of budget cuts. The grant is used to buy new eyeglasses for patients, and Mercy and ShopKo provide free exams. The program will refer patients to specialists for problems such as cataracts, glaucoma or detached retinas.

As many as 12 patients a month now get vision help through HealthNet.

“That’s huge,” Rogers said.

Only 48 and 60 patients were served in the previous two years.

Vision care has ties to overall health, Rogers said.

Dr. Jennet Ruth Shepherd, optometrist at ShopKo’s eye center in Janesville, agreed.

“An eye exam can pick up if somebody has uncontrolled diabetes and other health problems. So it’s good to get in here—every one to two years, depending on what your problems are—because there is the potential to be able to find things early and treat them early,” she said.

When money is tight, vision care is among the first things to go.

“They’re looking to get food, pay rent and keep their jobs,’’ Rogers said.

Many of HealthNet’s patients work in low-paying jobs and don’t have money to pay for vision care, she said.

Perkins said she can’t afford an eye exam and eyeglasses.

“It’s not feasible for me today,’’ she said.

Perkins said the last time she was able to pay for an eye exam and glasses, it cost her more than $300. That’s why she’s grateful for HealthNet and relieved to learn Shepherd found no serious vision problems during Wednesday’s exam.

“Your eyes are working together beautifully, and your eye movements are nice and smooth,’’ Shepherd said.

Still, Perkins got new glasses.