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A newly published study in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas highlights a powerful solution to a persistent challenge in U.S. healthcare: the cost barrier to vision-saving treatment.
The study examines ACCESS (Alleviating Costs for Critical Eye Specialty Services), a program designed to ensure patients receive essential ophthalmic care—even when insurance does not cover it.
The Challenge: Gaps in Coverage, Preventable Vision Loss
Many patients in the United States have insurance, yet still cannot access critical eye care. Treatments such as scleral lenses, specialty contact lenses, and compounded medications are often excluded from coverage or require unaffordable out-of-pocket costs.
As a result, patients—particularly those in underserved communities—face avoidable vision loss and long-term disability.
The ACCESS Model: Targeted, Patient-Centered Care
ACCESS was created to close this gap.
The program identifies patients based on both clinical need and financial hardship, and provides high-impact, vision-restoring treatments at no cost. Supported by hospital systems and philanthropy, ACCESS is embedded directly within a safety-net care setting—ensuring patients can access care where they already receive services.
Results: Life-Changing Improvements in Vision
Early outcomes from the study demonstrate the impact of removing financial barriers:
These outcomes represent meaningful, real-world improvements—helping patients regain independence, return to work, and improve their quality of life.
Broader Impact: Cost-Effective and Scalable
The study also highlights the broader value of programs like ACCESS.
By restoring vision early, the program reduces long-term healthcare costs and improves economic participation. Importantly, it demonstrates that targeted cost-coverage programs can deliver substantial economic benefit relative to their cost.
ACCESS also offers a replicable model for other health systems—providing data that can inform policy and support expanded insurance coverage for high-impact ophthalmic services.
Study Authors
This research was co-authored by Ryan A. Morton; Irene J. Pak, MD Candidate; Alice S. Tang, MD/PhD Candidate; Deborah Chesky; Hemal K. Kanzaria, MD; Madeline Yung, MD; and Tyson N. Kim, MD, PhD.
Read the Full Study
To explore the full research and findings, read the published article:
👉https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667193X26000803
Advancing Equity in Vision Care
ACCESS underscores a critical truth: when financial barriers are removed, outcomes improve.
Programs like this are helping to close gaps in care, reduce disparities, and ensure that more patients have access to the treatments they need to see—and live—fully.
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Click here – to support the ACCESS program at UCSF Ophthalmology.