I. Executive Summary
The eye is particularly vulnerable to injury during disasters because it is exposed, easily penetrated by sharp objects, and subject to rupture or contusion from blunt trauma. Eye injuries often occur in association with head trauma or multiple systemic injuries which require expert triage and staging of care to preserve both life and sight. Airborne chemicals or smoke can cause debilitating eye pain and vision loss which impair both the ability of disaster response personnel to work and the cooperation of victims. Furthermore, victims often lose eyeglasses during disasters and become functionally visually impaired. A trained team of eye specialists and specialized instruments and supplies are needed to effectively examine, triage, and treat eye injuries during times of disaster.
This Disaster Response Plan (DRP) provides the framework for a response to eye injuries resulting from disasters within the jurisdiction of the Houston Branch of Prevent Blindness Texas (PBT), the Houston Ophthalmological Society (HOS), and the City of Houston Eye Van program which is staffed and supported by the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO). It is a result of extensive planning and preparedness and contains systems and procedures for managing the human and material resources of the organizations in providing emergency eye care to victims of disaster. It considers the impact on vision and eye injury from various potential disasters; the procedures to notify and mobilize eye care workers; the equipment and supplies needed to treat eye injury; triage procedures; and documentation of care.
The DRP serves a potential population of more than 5,500,000 from 10 counties. The most common disasters that occur within this jurisdiction are flooding, hurricane, chemical spills, explosion, and fire. Houston is also considered a potential target for terrorist activities due to extensive business and industrial development and high population density. The major areas within the jurisdiction are Houston, Sugar Land, Baytown, Clear Lake and Galveston.
The plan consists of the base plan and the hazard-specific annexes. Also listed are the names of participating medical professionals, volunteers, and eye care facilities in Houston. The base plan includes sections about demographics, economy, geography, climate, hazards, and the ophthalmic impact of disasters on the community; the readiness capability of Prevent Blindness Texas, The Houston Ophthalmological Society, and UHCO; and the concept of operations, which details the combined organizations' working plan for response to disasters.
When needed, this plan provides access to additional human and material resources through mutual aid agreements with eye service providers from across Texas, and from Houston eye care providers at Baylor College of Medicine; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; the MD Anderson Cancer Center; the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; and the Texas Optometric Association. PBT also has many additional community volunteers who have received emergency disaster response training.
If you have questions or concerns about the Prevent Blindness Texas/Houston Ophthalmological Society disaster response plan, please contact Jim Hubbard at Prevent Blindness Texas, 713-526-2559 x 107 or Amy Coburn, MD at 713-796-0120.
A. Purpose and Scope
This DRP provides the planning and implementation procedures necessary to meet the requirements set by Prevent Blindness Texas and the Houston Ophthalmological Society for responding to disasters. This plan consists of a base plan and annexes. This plan is intended for and applies to Prevent Blindness Texas volunteers and employees and ophthalmologists from The Houston Ophthalmological Society. It provides guidance and procedures for providing a timely, appropriate and effective response to disasters in the Greater Houston Area. The plan also:
1. Identifies the possible disaster risks within the jurisdiction of Prevent Blindness Texas and the Houston Ophthalmological Society as well as the anticipated effects of the potential disasters;
2. Describes the response capacity and strategy of the organizations, members and volunteers;
3. Provides procedures for managing the resources; and
4. Promotes a spirit of cooperation and mutual support among PBT, HOS, UHCO, the community, and local emergency management officials.
B. Distribution
Copies of the plan will be provided to the following entities:
1. Internal Distribution
PBT Department Directors
PBT President
PBT Chair
PBT Disaster/Emergency Services staff and Volunteers
Mutual Aid Branches of PBT
HOS President and Executive Committee
HOS Membership
UHCO membership
2. External Distribution
Harris County Medical Society President and Executive Committee
County Emergency Management
City of Houston Emergency Management
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Agencies
Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC)
Fire Departments
Chairmen, Departments of Ophthalmology:
- Baylor College of Medicine
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
- MD Anderson Cancer Center
The American Academy of Ophthalmology
Prevent Blindness America
Texas Optometric Association
3. Internet
HOS website
PBT website
C. Planning Assumptions: Human and Material Resources
1. Medical eye care providers
Eye care including screening and triage, examination, glasses, and treatment for eye disease and injury is available to citizens of Houston through ophthalmologists (The Houston Ophthalmological Society and Houston area ophthalmologists, Departments of Ophthalmology based at Baylor College of Medicine; University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; MD Anderson Cancer Center; and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), optometrists (Texas Optometric Association, University of Houston College of Optometry); and screening institutions (Prevent Blindness Texas, Lions Club). The Houston Ophthalmological Society represents over 190 practicing ophthalmologists in addition to ophthalmology residents and fellows. Prevent Blindness Texas is the largest affiliate of Prevent Blindness America, with branches extending across Texas.
Medical eye care for indigent individuals is available through Prevent Blindness Texas; The Harris County Hospital District; Texas Children's' Hospital; Star of Hope Mission Eye Clinic; The Hermann Eye Fund; The Houston Eye Associates Foundation; New Eyes for the Needy; Eye Care for Kids; the Lions Clubs of Houston; and several other not-for-profit entities.
The Veterans Administration Medical Center Eye service provides surgical and medical eye care for qualified veterans.
2. Surgical Eye Services, Houston
Surgical emergency eye services are available through both public and private hospitals and free standing ambulatory surgery centers. Major facilities include: The Memorial-Hermann Healthcare System; St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital; The Methodist Hospital; Harris County Hospital District Ben Taub and LBJ Hospitals; the Houston Veterans Administration Medical Center; St. Joseph Medical Center; MD Anderson Cancer Center; and numerous ambulatory surgery centers.
3. Mobile eye care equipment for disasters: UHCO and PBT eye vans
a. UHCO supports and staffs the Eye Van purchased through the City of Houston which is capable of deployment during disasters. The van has a fully equipped eye lane with slit lamp, direct and indirect ophthalmoscope, and tonometer. It also has the capacity to manufacture spectacles. It requires road access and safe parking space at a disaster site.
b. Prevent Blindness Texas has two large-capacity vans which are capable of transporting personnel, portable eye exam, equipment and supplies. There is no equipment permanently installed in these vans. They are stationed at the PBT Houston headquarters.
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