CareSouth Carolina Announces Expansion To ROADS Program With New Mobile Optometry Unit

CareSouth Carolina is expanding access to essential healthcare services for students across the Pee Dee with the addition of a new Mobile Optometry Unit, further strengthening its ROADS Mobile Healthcare Program.

Expected to begin serving students in mid-to-late October, the new mobile unit will bring comprehensive eye care directly to schools throughout Darlington, Lee, Chesterfield, Marlboro, and Dillon counties. CareSouth Carolina has hired a dedicated optometrist who will lead a specialized team providing full eye exams, vision screenings, frame selection, and eyewear measurements.

The Mobile Optometry Unit will initially serve students within participating school districts, helping ensure children receive the vision care they need without leaving campus.

"Adding mobile optometry to the ROADS Mobile Healthcare Program is a natural extension of our commitment to delivering comprehensive, community-centered care," said Kaitlin Hughes, BS, RMA, Director of Mobile and Telehealth Services at CareSouth Carolina. "Vision problems are one of the most common yet overlooked barriers to a child's academic success, overall health, and quality of life. By bringing eye exams, vision screenings, and prescription eyewear directly to the schools and communities we already serve, we are removing barriers such as transportation, cost, and access to specialty care. Our goal is not simply to improve vision—it is to improve educational outcomes, detect disease earlier, and ensure every patient has the opportunity to thrive."

Vision plays a critical role in a child's ability to learn, yet many vision problems go undetected for years. Without regular eye exams, students may struggle in the classroom without realizing their eyesight is affecting their performance.

"Nearly 80 percent of what a child learns is processed through vision," Hughes said. "Yet countless students struggle silently because they cannot clearly see the board, read instructional materials, or recognize that their vision is impaired. These challenges are often mistaken for learning disabilities, behavioral issues, or lack of motivation when, in reality, they may simply need comprehensive eye care. Ensuring access to vision services is an investment in both health and educational success."

By bringing optometry services directly to schools, CareSouth Carolina hopes to identify vision concerns earlier, connect students with prescription eyewear when needed, and reduce the obstacles many families face in accessing specialty care.

The Mobile Optometry Unit is the latest expansion of CareSouth Carolina's ROADS (Reach Out and Deliver Services) Mobile Healthcare Program, which delivers healthcare services directly into communities across the organization's service area.

CareSouth Carolina is a private, non-profit community health center delivering patient-centered health and life services in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. CareSouth Carolina operates centers in Bennettsville, Bishopville, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Dillon, Hartsville, Lake View, Latta, McColl and Society Hill.

Services provided by CareSouth Carolina include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women's services, OB/GYN, HIV/AIDS primary care, infectious disease primary care, IV therapy, substance abuse prevention, dental, chiropractic services, pharmacy, senior support services, family support services, clinical counseling, laboratory, ultrasound, X-Ray, agricultural worker health services, podiatry, and veterans choice provider.