The new Pediatric Ophthalmology Center at Jamaica Hospital is officially open. Construction of the state-of-the-art facility and the purchase of equipment was made possible thanks to a generous donation of $1 million from Maspeth Federal Savings.
Jamaica Hospital provides quality healthcare to an underserved community, this includes much-needed
vision services to children who have limited access to comprehensive ophthalmologic care. By creating
a dedicated ophthalmology center for children, the hospital aims to address the lack of access to care
and other healthcare disparities that impact its community.
The need for a comprehensive pediatric ophthalmology service is reflected in current statistics. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 4 preschool-aged children and
approximately 6.8% of children younger than 18 years old in the United States has undiagnosed or
untreated vision problems. These numbers are amplified in communities that encounter disparities in
receiving optimal healthcare. Children who reside in underserved communities are found to be nearly
twice at risk for developing eye disorders when compared to those who live in neighborhoods that are
supplied with sufficient health services.
“We are thrilled to have a center of excellence in pediatric ophthalmology in Queens County. This center
will allow us to provide cutting-edge technology and treatment to our youngest patients,” shared Dr.
Julia Shulman, Chairperson of Ophthalmology at Jamaica Hospital. The newly constructed 2900 sq ft
center consists of a modernly designed area waiting area, four spacious examination rooms, two testing
rooms, three consultation offices, and two charting workstations. Each room is equipped with amenities
to provide a comfortable environment for children.
Watch a recent news story about the pediatric eye center below: