Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Appalachian Vision Outreach Program (AVOP)

AVOP patient receives exam from physicianIn 2011, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation awarded an initial startup grant for the Appalachian Vision Outreach Program (AVOP). The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation has continued to support this program in coordination with the Alcon Foundation and private donations. 

AVOP provides care to all West Virginians that may not have access due to geographical or financial obstacles. A team from the West Virginia University Eye Institute travels to all areas of the state to provide screenings, full exams, glasses, identification of eye diseases, referrals for specialty care and surgery, if required. In 2017, this team evaluated more than 1,300 patients and identified eye diseases that left untreated could have led to blindness.   

AVOP has partnered with the Free Clinics of WV, community health clinics, Lion’s of WV and local eye care providers to fulfill this mission. 

AVOP is actively seeking funding for this program to continue to reach the underserved in Appalachia.  Please contact Rebecca Coakley at coakleyr@wvumedicine.org for more information.

Upcoming AVOP Clinics

  • 5/22 & 5/23/25 — South Parkersburg Baptist Church, 1655 Blizzard Dr., Parkersburg, WV
    Start time: 8:30 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-481-3844 ext. 114
  • 8/15/25 — Milan Puskar Health Right, 341 Spruce St., Morgantown, WV
    Start time: 9 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-292-8234 ext. 130 
  • 8/28/25 — Beckley Health Right, 111 Randolph St., Beckley, WV
    Start time: 9 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-253-3577
  • 8/29/25 — Camden Family Health, 415 Main St., Summersville, WV
    Start time: 8 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-226-5725 ext. 1044
    9/11/25 — Ebenezer Medical Outreach, 1448 10th Ave., Huntington, WV
    Start time: 8:30 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-529-0753
  • 9/12/25 — West Virginia Health Right, 1520 Washington St. E, Charleston, WV
    Start time: 8:30 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-414-5931 or 304-539-2855
  • 10/10/25 — Health Access Inc., 489 Washington Ave., Clarksburg, WV
    Start time: 9 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-454-5982
  • 10/23/25 — Walton Community Center, 6930 Charleston Rd., Walton, WV
    Start time: 9 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-927-6411
  • 10/24/25 — Spencer Middle School, 102 Chapman Ave., Spencer, WV
    Start time: 9 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-927-6411
  • 11/13/25 — Camden Family Health, 10003 Webster Rd., Camden-on-Gauley, WV
    Start time: 8:30 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-226-5725 ext. 1044
  • 3/13/26 — Health Access Inc., 489 Washington Ave., Clarksburg, WV
    Start time: 9 a.m.
  • 4/23/26 — Wheeling Health Right, 61 29th St., Wheeling, WV
    Start time: 9 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-233-9323 ext. 329
  • 4/24/26 — CHANGE Inc., 3158 West St., Weirton, WV
    Start time: 8:30 a.m.
    Schedule appointment: 304-797-7733 ext. 1306