Author’s Disclosure Block: Cynthia Larche: none; Amrit Rai: Amrit has received honoraria from Alcon and Innovamed. ; Amandeep Rai: Amandeep has received educational grants from Alcon and Bausch Health.; Sherif El-Defrawy: none; Alejandro Oliver: Alejandro has received consulting and speaking fees from Bayer, Roche, and Biogen.

Abstract Body
Purpose: Assess the novel rotating locum ophthalmology clinic's impact on healthcare accessibility and patient care in Northeastern Ontario. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study of 100 patients from threeone-week visits with the locum team. Methods: Telephone survey and medical chart data analyzed for demographics, access to care, clinical data, and patient care experiences. Results: Average patient age was 71.5 years, 52% female. Patients had limited access to ophthalmologists (last visit M=5.4 years ago) and optometrists (M=9.8 months ago), often relying on emergency departments. Travel distance was significant (round trip M=171 km) with an average out-of-pocket cost of $89.25. Nearly half applied for a Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG) but faced delays. The locum clinic improved access but wait times for consultations and surgeries increased. Most patients were referred for cataract surgery, with many having severe vision impairments and multiple comorbidities. Recommended treatments included surgery (n=59), pharmaceuticals (n=5), and laser therapy (n=2). Patients attended an average of 2.4 appointments. High satisfaction with clinic services was reported, though suggestions were made for better scheduling, financial support, and communication. Conclusions: The study's participant demographics align with provincial cataract patient trends, revealing barriers to eye care and a reliance on emergency departments due to limited ophthalmic services. The locum clinic's added capacity is essential for the region.Patients traveled significant distances, facing financial challenges, especially those without NHTG access. The clinic is more cost-effective than alternatives in distant cities.Increasing wait times at the clinic point to a need for expanded capacity to prevent negative health outcomes. Most referrals were for cataracts, with some requiring urgent care. Visual acuity data indicate severe vision impairments, emphasizing the need for timely intervention.High patient satisfaction and low travel-related stress underscore the clinic’s positive impact. Patient recommendations for additional locum clinics in other specialties highlight a broader need for accessible specialist care. Suggestions for improvements offer actionable insights for enhancing clinic operations.The locum clinic model effectively fills a critical gap in ophthalmologic care for Northeastern Ontarians, offering accessible, high-quality services and reducing patient financial burdens. Expanding clinic capacity, improving logistics, and addressing patient concerns will further enhance the clinic's impact and serve as a model for other specialties.