Visual impairment is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. Approximately 3 million Americans have some visual disorder, more than 900,000 are legally blind with visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, and almost 200,000 are totally blind. Diabetes accounts for greater than 12% of new blindness, with the frequency of severe visual impairment being 40% higher in African Americans with diabetes than in Whites. Prevention through early detection and treatment can help reduce vision loss resulting from diabetic retinopathy, which is a leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults between the ages of 20 to 74. Healthy People 2010 defined objectives for the 21st century to decrease visual impairment from diabetic retinopathy and to increase the percentage of yearly-dilated fundus exams. This qualitative doctoral research study is part of a health promotion intervention supported by the NEI and designed to increase the rate of ophthalmic screening among African Americans, utilizing telephone counseling, a patient education booklet, and a video. Over a 6-month intervention period, a trained health educator counseled 130 African Americans with diabetes, recruited from several New York City area hospitals. Through persistence, repeated telephone calls, and problem solving psychosocial issues, more than half of the intervention group, 54.7 % versus 27.3% in the control group (N=143) followed up with screening. A sample of 20 intervention cases was selected to describe motivation for compliance and obstacles to screening for diabetic retinopathy. Practical strategies for designing future intervention programs will be discussed. See www.nei.nih.gov/news/morexam.htm
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to: 1). Recognize the impact of vision loss and blindness on the health of the nation. 2). Understand the importance of ophthalmic screening for people with diabetes. 3). Identify at least one objective for Healthy People 2010. 4). Describe at least one barrier for ophthalmic screening for people with diabetes.
Keywords: Vision Care, Diabetes
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Doctoral Dissertation Sponsor: Dr. Charles E. Basch, Chair, Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Columbia University Teachers College, New York, NY 10027
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
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