Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107454

Jerry Vincent, OD MPH, Health Unit, International Rescue Committee, PO Box 213, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50202, Thailand, (66) 53-806-735, jvincent@loxinfo.co.th and Nicole Franck, MHS, International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Room E 7148, Baltimore, MD 21205.

There is little literature available regarding evaluation of refractive error programs. In order to evaluate individual programs, compare results between programs and to measure success in addressing needs at local, national and global levels, routine evaluations of refractive error programs using common indicators needs to take place. Here we describe four indicators that are useful for these purposes.

1. Spectacle Provision Rate is an output indicator – how many eyeglasses given per 100,000 population (of program service area) per year. This data can be collected from program records.

2. Sight Restoration Rate is a visual outcome indicator – what percentage of spectacle recipients went from poor to normal vision as a result of using spectacles. This is a measure of quality of service. This data can be collected from individual patient records.

3. Spectacle Utilization Rate is an outcome indicator of acceptability – what percentage of spectacle recipients still report using their eyeglasses 6 months after receiving them. This measure of quality of service that takes into account not only visual outcome, but also the appearance, durability and fit of the frames. This data can be collected by surveying past eyeglass recipients.

4. Spectacle Coverage Rate is a population impact indicator – what percentage of the population that needs eyeglasses have appropriate eyeglasses. This is a measure of population coverage. This data can be collected by cross sectional population survey.

We will provide examples of use of these indicators and we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses associated with each of these indicators.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• List four evaluation indicators for refractive error programs.
• Describe how these indicators can be used.
• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these indicators

Keywords: Evaluation, Vision Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation