Vision impairment and the use of health information technology

Objective: To examine the association of vision impairment (VI) and the use of health information technology (HIT) among U.S. adults.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2009 and 2011 National Health Interview Surveys (60,745 respondents aged ≥18 years). HIT use was defined as using the internet for: 1) searching for health information or 2) other health-related reasons, such as setting appointments or communicating with health care providers. VI was defined as having trouble seeing or blindness. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine how VI and HIT use are related, controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, household income, insurance coverage, and self-assessed health status.

Results: Among U.S. adult, the adjusted prevalence of any HIT use was higher for those with VI (50.4%) than for those without (47.7%; p=0.002). The prevalence of HIT use among adults with/without VI varied by age: 18-44 (VI, 67.6%; no VI, 57.5%; p<0.001); 45-64 (VI, 48.1%; no VI, 46.7%; p<0.001); 65-74 (VI, 34.5%; no VI, 35.6%; p<0.001); and ≥75 (VI, 12.8%; no VI, 18.0%; p<0.001). The adjusted ORs (CI) for any HIT use associated with VI (reference: no VI) for ages 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, and ≥75 were: 1.63 (1.36-1.96); 1.18 (1.04-1.33); 1.14 (0.90-1.45); and 0.78 (0.56-1.02).

Conclusions: In the United States, VI is associated with HIT use. Regardless of VI status, HIT use is common among younger adults than older adults. Those aged 18-64 years with VI were more likely to use HIT than their counterparts without VI, underscoring the potential for targeted HIT-related interventions.