A community health screening in Rexdale brought eye specialists, diabetes care professionals and volunteers together to help residents identify potentially serious health problems before they become more difficult to treat.

The clinic, organized with Forsee Canada and Rexdale Community Health Centre, offered eye examinations alongside blood pressure and blood sugar testing, foot screening and access to nutrition advice.

Tanya Miller, Programs and Impact Lead with Forsee Canada, said organizers expected to see about 70 to 75 people during the event, with volunteers guiding participants through several stations.

Participants began with registration before moving through eye-health education, pre-testing and an examination by an ophthalmologist. Those who agreed could also participate in glaucoma research being conducted as part of the clinic.

Dr. Harish Nithianandan, an ophthalmologist with a subspecialty in retina, said the screening was looking for several common conditions that can threaten vision, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

The screening was already identifying residents who needed further attention.

“A number of people whose pressures were a bit elevated or their optic nerves looked suspicious for glaucoma,” Nithianandan said. The clinic also identified patients showing signs of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Early detection is particularly important with glaucoma because people may not realize they have the disease until significant damage has occurred.

When glaucoma is suspected, Nithianandan said patients can undergo further testing to determine whether the condition is mild, moderate or advanced. Depending on the results, treatment can range from careful monitoring and eye drops to laser treatment or surgery.

The event also gave residents an opportunity to look beyond their eye health.

Tahireh, a dietitian with the diabetes team at Rexdale CHC, said people attending the eye clinic were offered free blood pressure and blood sugar checks, consultations with a dietitian and foot examinations by a nurse. Residents without a family doctor could also receive help connecting with one.

Foot screening can be particularly important for people with diabetes. High blood sugar can contribute to complications including loss of sensation and ulcers, potentially increasing the risk of amputation if problems are not identified and addressed early.

Nutrition counselling at the clinic also reflected the diversity of the Rexdale community. Tahireh said dietitians try to understand the traditional foods their patients eat rather than recommending unfamiliar foods that may not fit their culture or lifestyle. Advice can instead focus on practical changes, including appropriate portions of familiar foods.

Forsee Canada generally conducts an outreach clinic about once every three months, depending on community need. Its work extends internationally as well, including missions to Kenya and preparations for work in Tanzania.

Miller said the organization’s mission can be summarized simply: helping “every eye everywhere” through research, education and outreach.

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