LSFHC Launches New Vision Care Services
LSFHC opened a new vision clinic in Conroe, TX, led by Dr. Yablon. It offers comprehensive eye exams, glasses, contacts, and screenings for glaucoma.
CONROE, Texas — Lone Star Family Health Center (LSFHC) has officially inaugurated its new vision care clinic, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s ongoing effort to provide comprehensive, integrated healthcare to Montgomery County residents.
The clinic, located at the LSFHC main campus at 605 South Conroe Medical Drive, began welcoming patients in mid-October. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Thursday, October 19, celebrated the expansion of the facility, which now rounds out the center’s multidisciplinary approach to community medicine.
Under the leadership of optometrist Dr. Elizabeth Yablon, the new department offers a full spectrum of eye health services. Patients can now schedule comprehensive eye exams, receive fittings for glasses and contact lenses, and undergo critical screenings for chronic conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
The launch of the vision center is a key component of the LSFHC’s $12.5 million capital campaign, a multi-year expansion project launched in 2021 designed to scale the organization’s infrastructure to meet the region’s growing population needs. The project involved the strategic renovation of existing campus space to house the new clinic.
Dr. Stephen McKernan, CEO of LSFHC, noted that the addition of vision care is more than a convenience; it is a clinical necessity for proactive patient management.
“Eyes are often the windows into a patient’s systemic health,” said Dr. McKernan. “By integrating vision care with our primary care, dental, and behavioral health services, we can more effectively identify early markers of conditions like diabetes or hypertension that often manifest in the eyes before appearing elsewhere. This ‘one-stop shop’ model allows us to treat the whole patient without the barriers of fragmented care.”
The new center is positioned to address a persistent gap in local healthcare access, particularly for the underinsured and uninsured populations in Montgomery County. To maintain this commitment to affordability, the clinic accepts Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, and most major private insurance plans. Furthermore, eligible patients can utilize LSFHC’s sliding fee scale, ensuring that cost remains secondary to medical necessity.
The initiative is bolstered by a strategic partnership with Legacy Community Health, an organization with a long-standing history of providing health services to underserved communities. By aligning resources, LSFHC and Legacy aim to ensure the vision center remains a sustainable fixture in the local safety net.
Residents interested in scheduling an appointment or learning more about the clinic’s services are encouraged to contact Lone Star Family Health Center at 936-539-4004 or visit their official website at www.lonestarfamily.org.
About Lone Star Family Health Center: Lone Star Family Health Center is a non-profit, federally qualified health center (FQHC) dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to the residents of Montgomery County. With multiple locations, including its flagship Conroe campus, the organization provides a wide range of services, including family medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, dental care, and behavioral health, with a specific focus on meeting the needs of those who may otherwise lack access to care.