The Importance of Translators

Taking registrations with a high school student as interpreter.

Just a couple of the team speaks Spanish fluently — at least my definition of fluent. Having translators is a key element to the success of the project once we are on site.  The registration forms consist of questions like name, age, medications, do you have problems with reading or with distance sight.  Listening to a foreign accent and understanding their name, let alone spell it correctly, is a challenge.

The translators hasten the process; without them it is likely we could only see half or less than half of the people on each clinic day. Imagine the eye chart as your know it— the letters of the alphabet ranging from large letters to minute.  Each language pronounces the letter A their way.  It would be very difficult for the volunteers conducting the visual acuity tests to understand each person.  Couple the language barrier with extremely shy patients who speak so very softly and the testers would never hear them.  

The chart used for the project visual acuity test is a series of E's facing left, right, up or

Angel, our bus driver and translator.

down.  The patients indicate with their hand which direction the E is facing.

After visual acuity testing the patient moves to triage; here it is decided if they need glasses or not, or further testing.  Some patients need dilation drops in their eyes.  The interpreters are able to clearly and explain that he or she will have to wait a specific amount of time and have their eyes tested at another station - autorefraction.  

Visual acuity station.

From autorefraction, patients move along to special testing. If a patient moves on to special testing, the interpreters again are paramount in explaining what is happening and what is going to happen next.  This eases any apprehension the patients may have during their exam. I could only imagine how comforting it is to have a person speak your language in order to convey any concerns or instructions - English and Spanish.

From special testing, patients will move to dispensing.  This is where they receive their new glasses, if we have a pair matching the prescription.  If not, on this project, they will be a special order.  When a special order is needed, the interpreter is able to explain that the eyeglasses will be available in a week.  They are fitted with a frame to accompany the prescription for filling.

We have had two amazing clinic days.  We have had exceptional translaters: parents, teachers, Rotary members, high school children taking English, and our bus driver, Angel.

Katie, an optitian, was working with an elderly lady.  This lady was just fitted with a pair

Katie, one of our optitians.

 of glasses.  
"She grasped my hands", Katie explained, "and looked me in the eye and spoke Spanish.  I did not understand."
"The translator did, and she came over", she said.  
This is what the elderly woman humbly shared with Katie —  "God is smiling and his light shines down on you."