Oct. 8, 2021 — In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15), EB reached out to Diana Canto-Sims, O.D., one of the inaugural #EBGameChangers, to get some key tips to better serve Hispanic patients.
 
Dr. Sims co-owns Buena Vista Optical in Chicago, and her eyewear line, La Vida, is designed with a diverse patient base in mind.


 
Studies show some Hispanic patients do not seek eye care due to lack of insurance, language barriers, or different cultural beliefs.
 
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Sims reached out to colleagues to put together a series of tips for eyecare professionals—by eyecare professionals—to help with these barriers and provide Hispanics with excellent vision care:
 
Lina T. Arango, O.D., from LTAVISION in Dania, FL, suggests:
"Hispanic patients like to know their diagnoses at the end of the exam; this creates loyalty and word of mouth referrals from patients. At the end of the exam, give your patient a handout in Spanish with the most common refractive diagnoses and eye conditions as a takeaway."
 
Jennifer Centeno, an optician from Los Angeles, CA, suggests:
"Having staff who speak Spanish and understands your patient's culture makes a huge impact on how your patients feel and also how they receive the information given to them in regards to their health."
 
Athena Brasfield, O.D., of Coachella Valley Optometry in CA, says:
"Have Spanish content on your website or make your website available in Spanish and offer frames that fit your Hispanic patient's facial features."
 
“According to the U.S. Census, Latinos comprise nearly 16% of the U.S. population and are anticipated to increase to 30% by 2050,” shares Dr. Sims. “It's vital as ECPs to achieve cultural competence with this growing demographic. Hispanics are very proud of their heritage and culture; creating a rapport is the best way to gain their trust.”