Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024
(a) Eye health services include a wide range of
services designed to meet the medical and health care needs of clients.
(b) Persons in need of eye health and medical care who meet the established
visual and residency criteria shall be eligible for eye health services pursuant to
10:91-2.1 and 2.6.
(c) Eye health services shall be available to persons who do not meet the
visual criteria, if surgery, diagnostic intervention, and/or ophthalmologic treatment will prevent serious
vision loss, and is recommended by a medical specialist.
(d) The
Commission's eye health nurse shall render the services in (d)1 through 14 to clients. The eye health nurse
shall:
1. Assess individual client needs and community health resources
that can address those needs;
2. Develop individual service plans
to meet client's needs;
3. Establish linkages with the
appropriate health service providers and arrange or assist clients in arranging the needed service such as:
i. Locating health care providers;
ii. Locating sources of transportation to health care providers;
and
iii. Investigating the availability of financial assistance
such as similar benefits;
4. Apply knowledge and
experience to monitor health care to attain the appropriate medical intervention and to prevent
complications;
5. Oversee the provision of health related
services and assess outcome and client's changing needs;
6. Work
in conjunction with other service providers that can best address client's needs;
7. Provide counseling and support to clients and their families;
8. Provide health education to clients and families on client's eye
disorder and disease progression, diet, medication, care, treatment and expected outcome;
9. Make pre-and post-operative home visits, and offer guidance to maintain
health;
10. Teach and demonstrate the use of optical aids and
devices;
11. Undertake follow-up responsibilities with clients to
ensure proper use of low vision aids;
12. Assist in making
arrangements for needed surgery and hospitalizations, as appropriate;
13. Provide in-service training to community agencies, programs and
organizations on eye health issues, treatment and Commission services; and
14. Provide evaluation and instruction in the use of adaptive health
equipment.
