OBJECTIVE: To estimate the levels of self-reported access of eye care services in the nation. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (30 920 adults aged > or =18 years). We estimated the number of US adults at high risk for serious vision loss and assessed factors associated with the use of eye care services. RESULTS: An estimated 61 million adults in the United States were at high risk for serious vision loss (they had diabetes, had vision or eye problems, or were aged > or =65 years); 42.0% of the 78 million adults who had dilated eye examinations in the past 12 months were among this group. Among the high-risk population, the probability of having a dilated eye examination increased with age, education, and income (P<.01). The probability of receiving an examination was higher for the insured, women, persons with diabetes, and those with vision or eye problems (P<.01). Approximately 5 million high-risk adults could not afford eyeglasses when needed; being female, having low income, not having insurance, and having vision or eye problems were each associated with such inability (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial inequity in access to eye care in the United States. Better targeting of resources and efforts toward people at high risk may help reduce these disparities.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the levels of self-reported access of eye care services in the nation. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (30 920 adults aged > or =18 years). We estimated the number of US adults at high risk for serious vision loss and assessed factors associated with the use of eye care services. RESULTS: An estimated 61 million adults in the United States were at high risk for serious vision loss (they had diabetes, had vision or eye problems, or were aged > or =65 years); 42.0% of the 78 million adults who had dilated eye examinations in the past 12 months were among this group. Among the high-risk population, the probability of having a dilated eye examination increased with age, education, and income (P<.01). The probability of receiving an examination was higher for the insured, women, persons with diabetes, and those with vision or eye problems (P<.01). Approximately 5 million high-risk adults could not afford eyeglasses when needed; being female, having low income, not having insurance, and having vision or eye problems were each associated with such inability (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial inequity in access to eye care in the United States. Better targeting of resources and efforts toward people at high risk may help reduce these disparities.
Authors: Maria A Woodward; Nita G Valikodath; Paula Anne Newman-Casey; Leslie M Niziol; David C Musch; Paul P Lee Journal: Eye Contact Lens Date: 2018-11 Impact factor: 2.018
Authors: Sharon H Saydah; Robert B Gerzoff; Jinan B Saaddine; Xinzhi Zhang; Mary Frances Cotch Journal: JAMA Ophthalmol Date: 2020-05-01 Impact factor: 7.389
Authors: John E Crews; Chiu-Fang Chou; Xinzhi Zhang; Matthew M Zack; Jinan B Saaddine Journal: Ophthalmic Epidemiol Date: 2014-06-23 Impact factor: 1.648
Authors: Leo S Morales; Rohit Varma; Sylvia H Paz; Mei Ying Lai; Kashif Mazhar; Ronald M Andersen; Stanley P Azen Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2010-02 Impact factor: 12.079
Authors: Xinzhi Zhang; Mary Frances Cotch; Asel Ryskulova; Susan A Primo; Parvathy Nair; Chiu-Fang Chou; Linda S Geiss; Lawrence E Barker; Amanda F Elliott; John E Crews; Jinan B Saaddine Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Date: 2012-12 Impact factor: 5.258
Authors: Paul P Lee; Sheila K West; Sandra S Block; Janine Clayton; Mary Frances Cotch; Colin Flynn; Linda S Geiss; Ronald Klein; Timothy W Olsen; Cynthia Owsley; Susan A Primo; Gary S Rubin; Asel Ryskulova; Sanjay Sharma; David S Friedman; Xinzhi Zhang; John E Crews; Jinan B Saaddine Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Date: 2012-12 Impact factor: 5.258