Community Health Center Of Cape Cod Expands Access To Glaucoma Treatment

Press release from the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce:

9/8/2022

Mashpee - Community Health Center’s optometry department can now provide easier access to glaucoma treatment for individuals in the community.

In 2021, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a bill that expands the scope of practice for optometrists to include the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma without the need to refer cases to an outside Ophthalmologist. Massachusetts was the only state with this restriction on scope of practice, but now both of Community Health Center's optometrists, Dr. Thomas Andrea and Dr. Matthew Waterbury, are able to provide this care to address glaucoma.

"This is a highly beneficial move not just to our profession but for the convenience, continuity of care and cost of care savings to patients, and the health care system at large," CHC Director of Optometry Services, Dr. Thomas Andrea said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately three million people have glaucoma, many of whom are over the age of 40. It is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. This legislation will allow CHC to continue to expand our needed glaucoma treatment offerings to the community.

In addition to glaucoma treatment, Community Health Center’s optometry department provides: comprehensive vision testing, contact lens fittings, screening for and treatment of eye disease, advanced testing for diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and cataracts and a full-service optical center with prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses.

Community Health Center's optometry services are open to anyone who needs them, regardless of if they are a patient at CHC. To learn more about Optometry services offered at Community Health Center, please call (508) 477-7400, or visit www.CHCofCapeCod.org.

Community Health Center is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center, and their mission is to improve the health of our community through the provision of comprehensive, high quality, compassionate health care to all, regardless of ability to pay. Services include primary and preventive care, dental care, behavioral health, pharmacy, optometry, women’s health, substance use disorder services and telehealth, at locations in Mashpee, Falmouth, Bourne, Sandwich, and Centerville. Visit CHC online at www.CHCofCapeCod.org.

This press release was produced by the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.