Use of dilated eye examination among U.S. adults

Visual impairment from many eye diseases can be prevented with timely diagnosis and treatment. A dilated eye examination is one of the most important diagnostic tools to detect disease and monitor progression. Healthy People 2010 vision objective 28-1 is to increase the use of dilated eye examination at appropriate intervals. National data on the receipt of dilated eye examinations were collected in a special supplement to the 2002 and 2008 National Health Interview Survey. Data were obtained from adults 18 years and older and analyzed using bivariate and multivariate techniques in the SUDAAN software. In 2008, 55% of adults had an exam in the past 2 years, and 18% of adults reported that they never had a dilated eye exam. Females were more likely then males to have received a dilated eye exam. Among those who had eye exam, Hispanics, persons with less than high school education, and persons without health insurance were the most disadvantaged groups. Persons with diagnosed diabetes were more likely to have dilated eye examination than those without diabetes. There were no significant changes in receipt of eye exam between 2002 and 2008 for most of population groups. Healthy People 2010 target is 58% and it was achieved only by females and adults with college education. This study presents the first comprehensive national survey data on the receipt of dilated eye examinations among adult Americans. Tracking of use of dilated eye examination will be continued as this objective was retained in Healthy People 2020 initiative.