Seeking eye care for children: perceptions among Hispanic immigrant parents.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceptions related to seeking eye care for their children among Hispanic immigrant parents. Five focus group discussions with approximately eight Hispanic immigrant parents each were carried out using a designed topic guide to encourage dialogue. Discussion was tape-recorded and transcribed. Qualitative analysis was performed to identify and classify perceived barriers, motivators and possible future interventions. Parents agreed they would take the child to the eye specialist for visible problems, or if recommended by the pediatrician or required for school entry. The most frequently mentioned barriers included cost and the absence of signs, symptoms or a family history of eye problems. Parents identified a need for more information about common pediatric eye conditions, especially non-obvious problems like refractive error. Evaluation of perceptions and barriers is a necessary first step towards developing culturally relevant and effective interventions.