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Utilization of eye health‐care services in Australia: the National Eye Health Survey
Author(s) -
Foreman Joshua,
Xie Jing,
Keel Stuart,
Taylor Hugh R,
Dirani Mohamed
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1111/ceo.13035
Subject(s) - indigenous , medicine , eye examination , residence , eye care , optometry , health care , refractive error , cross sectional study , eye disease , gerontology , demography , family medicine , ophthalmology , visual acuity , ecology , pathology , sociology , economics , biology , economic growth
Importance National data on eye health‐care service utilization will inform Australia's eye health policy. Background To investigate the utilization of eye health‐care services by Australians. Design Cross‐sectional survey. Participants Indigenous Australians aged 40 years and older and non‐Indigenous Australians aged 50 years and older. Methods One thousand seven hundred thirty‐eight Indigenous Australians and 3098 non‐Indigenous Australians were recruited from 30 randomly selected sites, stratified by remoteness. Sociodemographic, ocular history and eye health‐care service utilization data were collected, and an eye examination was conducted. Main outcome measures Recentness of eye examinations, types of providers used and associated risk factors. Results Approximately 67.0% of Indigenous Australians and 82.5% of non‐Indigenous Australians underwent an eye examination within the previous 2 years. Indigenous status ( P < 0.001), male gender ( P < 0.001), Outer Regional ( P < 0.001) and Very Remote ( P < 0.001) residence were associated with less recent examinations. Participants with >self‐reported eye disease or diabetes were most likely to have been examined within the past year ( P < 0.001). For Indigenous Australians, older age was associated with recent eye testing ( P = 0.001). Those with retinal disease and cataract were more likely to see an ophthalmologist ( P < 0.001), and those with refractive error were more likely to see an optometrist ( P < 0.001). In Regional Australia, non‐Indigenouspeople were more likely to see optometrists ( P < 0.001), and Indigenous Australians were more likely to utilize other, non‐specialistservices ( P < 0.001). Conclusions and relevance Eye examination frequency has improved in Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians compared with previous population‐based research. Further improvements are required in risk groups including Indigenous Australians and those living in Regional and Remote areas.