Removing barriers that keep people from accessing needed care is part of Neighborhood Health Center’s work toward a healthy and equitable Western New York. The addition of vision care services at Neighborhood’s Riverway location, 1569 Niagara Street in Buffalo, addresses one of those barriers. Most optometrists in the area practice in the suburbs, which can be hard to reach for some people who live in the city. Those who put off recommended visits to an optometrist, whether for lack of transportation or any reason, have an increased risk for preventable vision loss and other health problems related to untreated eye conditions.

The new vision department at Neighborhood Health Center Riverway is staffed by an optometrist and two ophthalmic assistants, and offers vision care services for adults and children ages seven and up.

“Vision is an important part of a person’s overall wellbeing,” said Dr. Gail Ferguson, medical director at Neighborhood Health Center. “Eye exams can address concerns with your vision, while also revealing other health problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure. So, it's important to take care of your eye health, just like your overall health.”

Vision care is the newest integrated service in Neighborhood’s one-stop model for care. In addition to family/internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology, Neighborhood offers dentistry, podiatry, behavioral health and nutrition counseling, and pharmacy services all under one roof. And, Neighborhood is the highest ranked health center in Western New York for quality, according to the Health Resources & Services Administration.

Click here to learn more about Neighborhood's vision care services. To schedule an appointment, call 716-875-2904 or request an appointment through the patient portal at the top of the page.