Annual clinic draws 180 needing eye care

CENTER — Valley-Wide Health Systems hosted their annual eye clinic At Cesar Chavez Clinic in Center this past Friday and Saturday, providing service to about 180 patients.
A special medical trailer also was set up in the clinic parking lot, offering free health screens for the needy.
Each year people come from all over the Valley to attend the eye clinic. The clinic serves migrants and under-insured patients, clinic outreach coordinator Delsa Chavez said Saturday, especially those who have vision issues related to diabetes. The clinic is totally free for these patients each year.
Lines for eye care at the clinic began at 5 a.m. Saturday morning.
Dr. David Guhl drives from Colorado Springs for the clinics every year, usually accompanied by his wife Lisa, to serve clients. Clinic staff expressed their thanks for what the Guhls do, noting many would not be able to afford eye care otherwise.
“Dr. Guhl has been doing this for 25 years,” Director of Farmworker Outreach Toni Romero said. “We get patients coming here from all over and we really appreciate Dr. Guhl’s hard work.”
Guhl’s motto is to “treat all patients with respect and integrity and give the best service we can.” The average number of patients he treats at the clinic each year ranges from 150-200.
Clients receive a free eye exam and glasses. Dr. Guhl brings some pre-made prescriptions and reading glasses but also provides prescription lenses, which he takes back to his Colorado Springs laboratory to create and mail back to patients.
“By the end of the clinic we hope to make between 140 and 160 pairs of glasses,” Director of Clinic Program Operations Dante Gonzales said Saturday.
Cesar Chavez is located at 186 No. First Street in Center. Patient hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To contact the clinic, call 754-2778.