Improving access for low vision Veterans

Gulf Coast VA‘s implementing of the Specialty Optical Lab’s promising practice with Cleveland VA helped to significantly reduce the turnaround time of low vision prescription eyeglasses for Veterans with visual impairments.

Gulf Coast VA participates in the VA Diffusion of Excellence Shark Tank Competition each year to implement the best promising practices. During the FY22 Competition, over 10 promising practices were presented live nationwide. Gulf Coast VA won the bid to implement the Specialty Optical Lab Promising Practice and partnered with the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA to manufacture prescription glasses in-house.

Our Blind Rehabilitation Center is one of 13 VA programs nationwide. VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers are residential inpatient programs that provide comprehensive adjustment to blindness training and serve as a regional resource to help blinded Veterans achieve their personal best level of independence.

Wait time normally 4-6 weeks

The goal of VA’s Diffusion of Excellence program is to identify and disseminate clinical and administrative best practices and standardize those that promote positive outcomes for Veterans systemwide. Diffusion of Excellence meets this goal by implementing a model to discover, test, replicate and scale innovations. 

The expected wait time for prescription eyeglasses from a VA optical shop is normally four to six weeks, while the average length of stay for a legally blind Veteran at a VA Blind Rehabilitation Center is 28 days. This delay can result in Veterans not receiving their glasses during their training program to troubleshoot and evaluate the effectiveness with a low vision therapist.

The Specialty Optical Lab makes these glasses in-house at the VA blind rehabilitation center in Cleveland. With the glasses, the optometrist and low vision therapists can work with the Veterans to select the most appropriate prosthetics while still in their blind rehabilitation program.

“The ability for our inpatient Veterans to receive their eyeglasses while still in-house is a potential game changer. We can ensure the glasses are right prior to discharge home and that the prosthetics we issue will work the best for the Veterans. This is truly exciting,” said Debra Gilley, chief of the Blind Rehab Service.

Order completed in six days

After 15 months of implementing this promising practice, in April 2024, the Specialty Optical Lab practice successfully went into operation. Dr. Manuel Zambrano ordered the first pair of eyeglasses for a Blind Rehabilitation Inpatient Veteran.

The order was completed within six business days—one day quicker than the overall goal. “This finally coming together is a testament to Debra and her dedication to the blind rehab program,” said Sean Wrubel, Cleveland VA optometrist.

The promising practice has been successfully adopted at 10 VA facilities nationwide with an average cost-avoidance savings of $215 per pair of prescription glasses. So far, this has resulted in a total savings of over $1 million across all facilities. A near perfect satisfaction rating has been received from over 4,500 low vision and legally blind Veterans who have experienced the practice benefits.

“These types of collaborations are indicative of the joint team environment we have at Gulf Coast VA,” said Dr. Stephanie Repasky, medical center director. “I am so proud of our team for their leadership and innovations guaranteeing that our Veterans receive the world class health care they have earned.”