Wir überwinden Grenzen

Volker Homann Foundation supports expansion of the eye bus service / Patients are examined and advised on site by physicians from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and regional ophthalmology practices

As a state-of-the-art ophthalmology practice on wheels, the eye bus improves care for the visually impaired and blind, particularly in rural areas. Thanks to a generous donation from the Volker Homann Foundation, examination methods for the early detection of age-related macular degeneration can now be improved in a scientific project. On August 18, 2020, foundation founder Volker Homann and board member Lothar A. Böhler presented a cheque for 50,000 euros to Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Prof. Dr. Hansjürgen Agostini, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the Eye Center, and project manager Prof. Dr. Thomas Neß from the Eye Center. "We are very grateful that we can now further expand the mobile ophthalmology service in rural areas," said Wenz.

Recognizing the first signs early on

With 4.5 million people affected, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in Germany. In the early stages, those affected do not notice the disease. Nevertheless, a targeted examination can detect the first signs at an early stage in the form of abnormalities at the point of sharpest vision. As part of the Augen-Bus project, the methods for the early detection of AMD are now to be further improved for potentially affected people from the age of 50. Physicians from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg's Department of Ophthalmology and from ophthalmology practices in the region carry out the examinations on site and perform the scientific evaluation. The examiners find out directly on site whether there are any signs of previously undetected AMD. If this is the case, they are referred to an ophthalmologist's practice or eye clinic near their home for further diagnosis and timely treatment.

The eye bus

Eye care facilities are not easily accessible everywhere in rural areas, especially for older people. In order to make it easier for those affected to find a specialist, the Eye Center - University of Freiburg, the South Baden Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the South Baden Eye Network, the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg and the Freiburg Home for the Blind have jointly launched the "Eye Bus" project as part of a scientific pilot project. The project was funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg. In addition to ophthalmological examinations, the eye bus team offers advice on visual aids, other aids and social counseling.

The foundation

Founded in 2015 by its namesake, the Volker Homann Foundation is the largest private foundation in Freiburg and primarily supports charitable projects and institutions for children and young people, as well as elderly care and welfare, science, art and culture.

Photo: Board member Lothar A. Böhler and foundation founder Volker Homann hand over a cheque for 50,000 euros to project leader Prof. Dr. Thomas Neß from the Eye Center, Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, and Prof. Dr. Hansjürgen Agostini, Deputy Medical Officer of the Eye Center (from left to right).

Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg