In Lyon, a hotline allows migrants to access ophthalmological care at lower cost

“For some time now, I have had flashes, lightning in my eyes, especially in the evening,” explains Amadou. In front of him, Olivier Janaud questions him in a reassuring tone. While listening to him, he grabbed his phone and dialed the number of Saint-Joseph Saint-Luc hospital in Lyon. “I have a suspected retinal detachment, can you find me an appointment this afternoon?” Even if he does not tell him in these terms, the young man risks going blind if he does not urgently benefit from a laser to reattach his retina to his eye wall. Olivier Janaud, in his fifties, is an optometrist: “A sort of sub-ophthalmologist,” he sums up with irony. Thanks to visual examinations, he knows how to prevent and detect eye pathologies, give recommendations and direct patients. In Lyon, but also in other cities in France, he works for Permanent Access to Health Care (Pass): a care unit dedicated to patients in precarious situations – many of whom are migrants without the right to state medical aid, either because they have been in France for less than three months, or because they have not taken the steps to obtain it.

Sight for a better life

This Monday morning, he took over the office of a day center at the Foyer Notre-Dame des sans-abri, dedicated to adult men. The optometrist tours four days a week in 17 reception and emergency accommodation locations in Lyon to offer optical consultations. Its role: “Provide visual screening and first-line care. » This sometimes leads, as for Amadou, to detecting more serious eye diseases in these people without follow-up for years. “In this case, we redirect them to emergencies or specialists who agree to take care of them. » If it is not a priority when looking for food and sleep, the eye health of people on the street is undermined by degraded living conditions – lack of hygiene and toxicological dependencies in particular. However, poor eyesight constitutes “a major obstacle to integration, for orientation, work or carrying out administrative procedures”, explains Olivier Janaud.

When he asks Amadou how he copes on a daily basis with the severe myopia that he has diagnosed, the young man takes out his phone and explains: “In the metro, I zoom in with the camera to read the signs. » Mohammed Ibrahim, who arrived from Ivory Coast two years ago, explains for his part that he puts sugar and water in his irritated eyes in the evening. “It kills waste,” he assures. “I know it’s done in Africa,” replies Olivier Janaud, “but I’m not very convinced: I’m going to prescribe you some very effective eye drops. »

The optometrist, who knows how to give confidence to his interlocutors thanks to his kindness, his easy contact and a touch of humor, also plays a role of relay to the Pass. “Through sight, I “harpoon” people to encourage them to seek other care. » But he is not content with fulfilling his mandate within the office. “What do you want as a model?” Would you like a slightly wide frame like that, made of plastic? It’s trendy…” Mohammed Ibrahim shakes his head, startled: “Oh no, it’s a gift, I’m not going to choose! » The young man can’t believe his eyes: Olivier Janaud offers him free glasses, the lenses of which he cuts in his home workshop after his day’s work.

All-terrain mounts

This equipment, the frames of which he collects from “optician friends”, he tries to make “robust, so that they resist the street”. This is the difficulty, “there are a lot of thefts and breakages, and if in theory I only give one pair per year, I often have to go up to two”. A project that he has been carrying out for four years with the patients of La Pass, but for much longer with his association, created eighteen years ago. Not all patients accept the offer: this morning, one of them declined. “My problem is the papers, not the money: you just give me a prescription, that way we don’t get into profiteering.” Before adding: “I have a body shop, you come whenever you want, I will repair your car for free. » Ernest, for his part, has come to collect his pair: with the frame on his nose, he admires his new face and takes the reading test. ” Great ! » he exclaims, delighted, warmly thanking Olivier Janaud, who smiles in turn: “This job is great, isn’t it? »