Vision Expo 2026: Utilizing technology and bridging cultures

In discussing her Vision Expo 2026 presentation “Bridging Cultures in Chronic Disease Eye Care: Better Conversations, Better Outcomes,” Glenda Aleman-Moheepith, OD, centers on the crucial role of cultural and linguistic competence in delivering effective, trustworthy patient care in eye health. Aleman-Moheepith, a Latina physician, explains that “bridging culture” in medicine begins with understanding patients’ diverse cultural backgrounds, because these backgrounds strongly influence how patients perceive eye care, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations. She stated that trust is foundational: when a physician understands and respects a patient’s culture and can communicate in a familiar language, patients are more receptive, engaged, and willing to follow medical advice.

Aleman-Moheepith illustrated this with a specific case from her practice. Because she frequently travels to conferences, she relies on other doctors to cover her office. One of these fill-in physicians, whom she describes as an excellent clinician, examined a Spanish-speaking patient and diagnosed her with glaucoma. Although the clinical work and documentation were sound, the patient later chose to return specifically to Aleman-Moheepith.

Reviewing the chart, she initially wondered why the patient had come back when the prior care appeared appropriate. The patient’s immediate reaction upon meeting her—relief that she spoke Spanish—revealed the answer. The patient reported that while the previous doctor was “nice,” she did not speak Spanish, and her explanation of the diagnosis had not been fully understood. As a result, the patient took additional time off work to see Aleman-Moheepith, seeking clarity and confirmation in her own language.

Aleman-Moheepith re-examined the patient, reviewed all tests and notes, and confirmed the same glaucoma diagnosis. This reinforced that the gap was not clinical competence but communication. The story highlights that language barriers can lead to extra visits, anxiety, and incomplete understanding of serious conditions.

Finally, Aleman-Moheepith stressed that not every doctor must learn a second language. Instead, she encourages leveraging emerging technologies—such as Meta glasses and ChatGPT—for live translation. By adopting these tools, clinics can enhance clarity, reduce misunderstandings, and better serve non-English-speaking patients, ultimately strengthening trust and improving outcomes in culturally diverse settings.