During his junior year of college, Cleamon Moorer Jr. endured congenital cataracts that left him legally blind.

The Detroiter’s firsthand experience with vision challenges gave him early knowledge of how critical it is for residents to have access to eye care. Now, the founder of Eye Care for Detroit is bringing services to thousands of Detroit doorsteps and other parts of the metro area.

Founded in 2022, Moorer’s nonprofit is Detroit’s first walk-in and mobile eye care clinic working to address a critical health gap: access to vision care for the city’s homebound and underserved. The clinic has a physical location at 7800 W. Outer Dr. on Detroit’s west side and its mobile unit services neighborhoods with high risk indicators in Detroit as well as parts of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

Moorer, the organization’s founding executive director, said he began contemplating a mobile unit during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many residents were unable or unwilling to visit traditional clinics. 

Moorer, who separately owns the home healthcare agency, American Advantage Home Care, Inc., which he acquired in 2019, said Eye Care for Detroit was born out of experiences during the pandemic with patients, decreased traffic due to transportation gaps and “folks really not knowing where to go.”

“I was inspired to start Eye Care for Detroit based upon a gap in access to vision care for the homebound populations,” Moorer, 48, told BridgeDetroit. “We saw an opportunity to close the gap by bringing the mobile unit directly to patients and communities.”

Initial funding for the nonprofit initiative came from Moorer’s own pocket. 

“I started by taking funds from my home health care agency,” he said. “If I didn’t show I care, it’d be difficult to approach other people.” 

Today, Eye Care for Detroit generates revenue through billing while seeking philanthropic support to maintain and expand its services.

The operation offers full-service eye care, including visual acuity tests, imaging, screening for diseases like cataracts and glaucoma, and referrals to ophthalmologists for more advanced conditions. It also provides eyeglasses to Detroiters who face significant barriers to receiving care, serving approximately 40,000 homebound residents, Moorer said. 

Tailored to patients with limited mobility or chronic health conditions, the organization uses public health data and ZIP code-level health risk assessments to determine where to send its van. 

Eye Care for Detroit currently operates with one mobile unit and a core team of eight staff members. It also works with a board of directors, student interns from local universities, and volunteers from across metro Detroit. Staff members undergo training in HIPAA compliance and sociocultural sensitivity to better serve Detroit’s diverse population.

“We have a partner that provides training on bedside manner, conflict resolution, and how to address community needs with empathy,” added Moorer, who holds a Doctorate of Business Administration from Argosy University.

Aurelius Humber found out about Eye Care for Detroit while watching the news in April, and the next day, she decided to visit the walk-in clinic near her home on Detroit’s west side. 

“As I’m both diabetic and getting up in age, I want to make sure I’m still able to see as well as I can, and read Eye Care for Detroit has beautiful pairs of glasses in their showcase. I was able to find the best frames for me,” Humber said. “Their hospitality and attention to detail really made my heart warm.”

Humber, who has lived in the city since the 1970s, said she attributes the success of her visit to the staff, specifically Moorer’s Office Manager Hannah Light. Humber said Light made her feel welcome as soon as she walked through the door and answered all of her questions.

Detroit native Ginene, who declined to share her last name, spoke with BridgeDetroit about a similar experience with the clinic after hearing about its services on Channel 4 (WDIV-TV).

The 62-year-old was in need of a routine yearly check-up and a pair of new glasses. She was drawn to Moorer’s story about the inspiration behind his decision to launch the service. 

“The staff were very enthusiastic and excited about having the opportunity to care for the community,” she said. 

Eye Care for Detroit partners with Meridian, a Michigan health plan under the Centene Corporation, to provide its vision services. The Meridian partnership provides the nonprofit with access to tri-county Medicaid patients, to ensure vision care, often overlooked in broader healthcare conversations, is integrated into a more holistic view of community wellness.

“There’s power in being independent,” Moorer added. “We’re not tied to a hospital system or larger provider network, which allows us to stay focused on the needs of the people we serve.”

With a growing footprint in southeast Michigan, Moorer said Eye Care for Detroit is working to position itself as a necessary player in the local healthcare landscape, especially for residents often left behind by traditional systems.

To ensure accessibility, he said, the nonprofit accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and a wide range of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and vision insurance plans. For those without coverage, a sliding scale payment system is available.

 “We’re able to give a net cost of what the exam is,” Moorer said. 

Tinya Arroyo, owner and founder of Spectacle Society, an optical boutique in Corktown, learned about Moorer’s mission through a former board member and felt inspired to support individuals with visual impairments. Between October and December 2023, Spectacle Society donated 600 gently used eyeglasses to the nonprofit as part of a collection drive.

Transportation support to visit Moorer’s in-person clinic is also a core part of the service model. The team informs patients about available paratransit options through the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) and SMART.

According to the American Hospital Association, 3.6 million people nationally don’t receive medical care each year due to transportation issues.  

“Transportation is the leading cause of no-shows to clinic appointments,” Moorer explained. 

Moorer and his nonprofit were honored by Detroit City Council this month with a testimonial resolution and Spirit of Detroit award for his decades of experience and groundbreaking work.

Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway commended Moorer for launching the nonprofit that’s bringing “life-changing vision care” to Detroiters.

“He operates the city’s first walk-in eye clinic and mobile unit service to homes, breaking down barriers like cost, transportation and a lack of awareness,” she said. “The organization is on a mission to combat preventable blindness and ensure access to quality eye care for all. More than just a service, Eye Care for Detroit is a movement, changing lives, restoring sight and proving that no Detroiter should ever be left in the dark.” 

Whitfield-Calloway also noted Moorer’s education and his service with Detroit organizations and beyond. He holds a bachelor of science and management degree from Kettering University and a dual master’s degree from Benedictine University. 

Additionally, he is founding dean of the College of Business at Baker College and has served as dean of the School of Business at Madonna University. Moorer is also board chair for Habitat of Humanity Detroit and is board secretary of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Flint and Genesee County and is a board member at-large for the Michigan HomeCare and Hospice Association. 

The father of four told council members that his late parents ran a Livernois Avenue collision shop for decades and “this is a city that is rooted in hard work, entrepreneurship and doing as much as we can to help each other.”

Eye Care for Detroit collects data on patient outcomes, examining how improved vision affects broader health issues such as diabetes and hypertension. 

“We’ve seen errors with medication management due to poor vision, and even depression linked to it,” he said. “We’re working to understand how improving vision care can help improve other health outcomes.”

Moorer said his organization is aiming to add more mobile vans. The goal is to build out a unit each quarter for the next seven quarters. Eye Care for Detroit is also planning to evaluate how it can offer services in more public, communal spaces like its west side clinic.

During the recent 2025 MedHealth Summit at Wayne State University, Eye Care for Detroit worked to spotlight the power of mobile healthcare, with hands-on access to the mobile clinic.

Staff educated visitors about the services, how the unit operates and the populations it serves.

Moorer emphasized that patient feedback continues to shape his team’s approach. 

“People tell us, ‘You’ve restored some hope. I never thought someone would come into my house to check my vision and bring me glasses,’” he said. “It’s about giving people a choice.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the Eye Care for Detroit website.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that Moorer acquired American Advantage Home Care, Inc., in 2019, and to reflect that Moorer holds a Doctorate of Business Administration from Argosy University.