Paraoptometric Center Paraoptometric Section Resources for Communicating with Hispanic Patients

Resources for Communicating with Hispanic Patients

Providing Patient Care to Non-English Speaking Hispanics

Did you know the majority of Hispanic patients you meet during your career are likely receiving their first comprehensive eye care through you for the very first time in their lives?

The United States is currently home to over 40 million Hispanics, and the population growth is expected to be four times that of the general population, a rate of more than 1.5 million annually*.

NEW "Communicating with Hispanic Patients" Booklet

To help with the growing demand for Hispanic patient care and marketing materials, the AOA's Paraoptometric Section has developed a new booklet, "Communicating with Hispanic Patients" to assist with your non-English speaking Hispanic patient vision examinations.

Each step of the vision examination is written in English and Spanish.
Phonetic pronunciation is included to make communication easier.

Click here to Download PDF

Additional Professional Resources

White Papers

Cultural and Linguistic Considerations for Vision Care This consensus paper identifies strategies for eyecare professionals to promote cultural competency within their own practice, using the CLAS standards as a guide. The paper also overviews the unique eye health- and communication- needs of the three largest, fastest-growing demographic groups: Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Americans. Download available here


Factors Impacting the Vision Care and Vision Wear of Culturally Diverse Groups: Focus on Hispanics Addresses obstacles to and strategies for providing quality eye care to Hispanic patients. Offers insight into the Hispanic market; highlights successful eye exam tips, regardless of language or cultural barriers.

Examination Guides and Tools

These materials may be ordered free of charge by calling Transitions® Optical's customer service at 800.848.1506.


What to Expect: Bilingual Eye Exam Guide An indispensable tool for the most frequently conducted eye exams. Kit includes laminated, bilingual cards for each standard test – ingeniously packaged in a ring-clipped piece that can stand on the counter or be used one-on-one with the patient.


What to Expect: Eye Care Communication Guide Available in August, 2009 Designed to help English-speaking eye care professionals and staff members communicate with their Spanish-speaking patients during all steps of the appointment. Includes common greetings and goodbyes, key terms, illustrations and a phonetic pronunciation guide.


Dispensing to Your Hispanic Patients 20-minute bilingual education course lays the foundation for building lasting relationships with Hispanic patients. Available in print, DVD or online format.


Bilingual Pocket Card Designed to help English-speaking eye care professionals guide Spanish-speaking patients through the eyewear selection process. Outlines common eyewear choices.

Patient Education


Healthy Eyes for Peak Performance To help parents, caregivers and others who have an interest in seeing children perform their best, the AOA Sports Vision Section (SVS) and Safe Kids Worldwide® have teamed up to offer a FREE educational brochure, titled “Healthy Eyes for Peak Performance.” Available in English and Spanish. Full brochure and ordering info.

AOA materials may be ordered by calling 1.800.262.2210.


AOA 12-part Common Eye & Vision Problems brochure series Hispanic patients prefer printed brochures to take home and share with their family. These AOA pocket-sized pieces discuss specific eye conditions and are available in English and Spanish. Keep the series at the receptionist desk or in the eye exam room to help educate your Hispanic patients about eye health care, their risk factors and maintaining good vision.


InfantSEE® Program Materials As part of public outreach to families with infants, Spanish-language materials are available through the InfantSEE® program. If you're an InfantSEE® doctor, use the materials to help promote your practice, and the program, within your community.

AOA Spanish Web Content

Encourage your Hispanic patients to check out the Eye Health Topics section for detailed information on such relevant topics as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Note: Where available, click the green button in the upper right corner of the screen to toggle between English and Spanish translations

Children’s Education

Be Wise About Your Eyes - Activity book & DVD
This animated video educates kindergarten through third grade children about how to protect their eyes and the importance of regular eye exams. The program includes a 16-page activity book. These materials are ideal for classroom visits, at health fairs and during community events and presentations.

Other Web picks


HealthySightforLife.org Helps patients better understand the need for eye-healthy habits. Includes an order form for complementary copies of a waiting room brochure and video.


Aprendasobreanteojos.com Also available in English at www.EyeglassGuide.com, this site helps patients learn about their options in eyewear before their next appointment — allowing them to come in more prepared and ready to discuss their eyewear needs.


YoNoSabiaEso.com Use this young-family-focused, Spanish-language Web site to spark dialogue about eye health and the principles of vision.