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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Arlen M. Rosenthal, MA¹, William H. Scarbrough III, PhD¹, Robert L. Alexander, MPH, PhD¹, and Rosemary Janiszewski, MS, CHES². (1) ORC Macro, 11785 Beltsville Drive, Suite 300, Calverton, MD 20705, 301-572-0222, arlen.m.rosenthal@orcmacro.com, (2) National Eye Institute, National Insitutes of Health, 31 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892

Objective: To measure the American public's knowledge, attitudes, and practices about eye health and disease. Method: A national probability sample of 3,180 noninstitutionalized adults aged 18 and older (jointly funded by the National Eye Insitute and Lions Clubs International Foundation) responded to a computer-assisted telephone interview about general and eye health, and knowledge, experiences, and attitudes about eye disease and examinations. Study results were weighted to 2000 Census parameters. Results: Analyses were conducted for 55 items over 7 domains of questions. Results show that more than 80 percent of the population reported their general health to be good or excellent; more than 2/3 of the population reported wearing some type of eye wear, with almost 1/4 having an eye condition or disease; nearly 3/4 of all adults reported having an eye examination within the past 2 years; Americans were most knowledgable about glaucoma and less informed about diseases/conditions such as diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, and low vision. Results differed when compared to 1991 survey figures, and by race/ethnicity, age, and gender. Conclusions/Implications: These findings show an increase in knowledge and improved attitudes and experiences among Americans regarding eye health and disease over the past 15 years. The findings also show that adults of different ages, genders, and races or ethnicities have different levels of knowledge, perceptions, and experiences related to eye health and disease. The results suggest that improvements in the delivery of timely and accurate eye health information have been successful.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to do the following

• Discuss differences in knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to eye health and disease among adults of different ages, genders, and races or ethnicities.
• Identify improvements in Americans’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to eye health and disease over the past 15 years.
• Articulate areas that remain of concern regarding Americans’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices about eye health and disease.

Keywords: Vision Care, Data Collection

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No