261893 Ocular Findings among Low-Income Uninsured Adults: Relation to Healthy People 2020 Vision Objectives

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM

Janis Ecklund Winters, OD , Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL
     
Background. A Healthy People 2020 (HP) vision objective is to reduce vision impairment from diabetic retinopathy (DR), cataracts (CAT), glaucoma (GLC), age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and correctable vision impairment (CVI). Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) address the health care needs of the uninsured however only 20% have eye care programs. The Vision of Hope Health Alliance (VOHHA) was developed to address eye care in low-income uninsured adults. The prevalence of ocular disease and CVI is described.

Methods: VOHHA was developed. Patients received eye care and spectacles at no cost. Data was obtained through retrospective record review. Results. Through four years, 4028 patients received eye examinations. The majority served were minorities, unemployed and high school graduates. The majority (86.0%) required spectacles. Of those, CVI was diagnosed in 13.0%. DR was diagnosed in 8.0%. GLC/ocular hypertension was diagnosed in 4.7% and 4.6% as suspects. Other conditions included CAT (9.4%) and ARMD (0.9%). GLC/ocular hypertension or suspect, DR, or ARMD was diagnosed in 17.5%. In aggregate, 34.1% were diagnosed with GLC/ocular hypertension or suspect, DR, CAT, ARMD, or had CVI. Conclusion. In this population, 1:3 patients were at risk for VI or had CVI. The need for inclusion of eye care at FQHCs as specified in HP objectives is supported.

Learning Areas:
Clinical medicine applied in public health
Epidemiology
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Compare the ocular disease findings of the Vision of Hope Health Alliance with the Healthy People 2020 vision objectives that are related to vision impairment. Explain the importance of promoting programs which provide access to eye care among low-income uninsure adults. Discuss the role of Federally Qualified Health Centers among vulnerable populations and the need for inclusion of eye care services as specified in Healthy People 2020 objectives.

Keywords: Vulnerable Populations, Vision Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an associate professor of optometry at the Illinois College of Optomtry. I have been medical director of the Vision of Hope Health Alliance since 2005.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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