The Consortium of Student-Led Eye Clinics (CSLEC) was founded in the Fall of 2021 to unite student-run free ophthalmology and optometry clinics across the United States in their efforts to increase access to vision care for vulnerable populations.

From vision screenings in school-aged children to diabetic eye exams for our neighbors , we recognize that vision health is essential to the optimal functioning of our communities. 

Unfortunately, there are a number of systemic barriers that exclude many of our neighbors from receiving this essential care. Furthermore, illnesses that contribute to poor vision like diabetes and hypertension, often are exacerbated by social and economic factors that simultaneously also prevent individuals from obtaining timely and quality care. 

CLSEC strives to help bridge this gap by uniting the efforts of independent eye clinics and other community vision health partnerships and projects across the country. Through optimizing data sharing and best practices, we hope to extend our network by creating the infrastructure for more institutions to develop and improve visual health in local communities as well as increase programming to ensure timely care to individuals who are excluded from the traditional healthcare system. Through collaborative and collective research, we can identify the impact of eye clinics and vision health partnerships on our local communities and as a consortium to develop empiric data needed to create a more equitable future for eye care.

1. Optimize the overall quality of and access to student-led free eye clinics and community visual health partnerships across the country to benefit the ophthalmic care of the un- or under-insured.

2. Encourage innovation through the sharing of best practices that ensure standards of quality care through workshops and dissemination of resources and research. 

3. Create spaces that allow for the troubleshooting of challenges that impact service delivery.

4. Facilitate the innovation of novel projects and partnerships and the sharing of ideas across this network of clinics and community groups.

5. Encourage formal and informal mentorship between experienced clinics and up-and-coming clinics.