@article{ref1,
title="Reasons for Not Seeking Eye Care Among Adults Aged ≥40 Years with Moderate-to-Severe Visual Impairment --- 21 States, 2006--2009",
journal="MMWR: Morbidity and mortality weekly report",
year="2011",
author="",
volume="60",
number="19",
pages="610-613",
abstract="In 2000, an estimated 3.4 million U.S. residents aged ≥40 years were blind or visually impaired (1). Vision problems place a substantial burden on individuals, caregivers, health-care payers, and the U.S. economy, with the total cost estimated at $51.4 billion annually (2). Although regular comprehensive eye examinations are essential for timely treatment of eye disease to maintain vision health, a previous study has shown that substantial percentages of persons do not seek eye care, despite having visual impairment (3). To ascertain why adults aged ≥40 years with moderate-to-severe visual impairment did not seek eye care in the preceding year, CDC analyzed data for 21 states from 2006--2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which found that eye-care cost or lack of insurance (39.8%) and perception of no need (34.6%) were the most common reasons given for not seeking eye care. Among those aged 40--64 years, cost or lack of health insurance was the most common reason (42.8%); among those aged ≥65 years, the most common reason was no need (43.8%). Identifying the reasons for unmet eye-care needs might enable development of targeted interventions to improve vision health among those with moderate-to-severe visual impairment.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0149-2195",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}