Vision loss is a major public health problem in the United States. Eye diseases and injuries cause suffering, disability, loss of productivity, and diminished quality of life for millions of people. Reflecting the importance of vision health, vision objectives were included in the national health goals as a Healthy People (HP) topic area starting with HP2020.

Healthy People vision objectives represent a comprehensive look at vision health promotion and vision loss prevention at the national level. There are fourteen measurable and one developmental HP2020 vision objectives.

The National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, in collaboration with the National Eye Institute, NIH, used data from the National Health Interview Survey, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and National Electronic Injury Surveillance System to derive national estimates of visual impairment due to refractive errors; prevalence of eye injuries and age-related eye diseases (cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy); use of eye care services; and protective eyewear. Based on the most recent data, seven HP2020 vision objectives met their targets, one is improving, two are getting worse, and three showed no significant change. One objective has only baseline data, so no progress can be assessed.

Finally, with the recent release of Healthy People 2030 on March 31, 2020, this presentation will describe the HP2030 development process and evolution between HP2020 and HP2030 vision objectives. There are nine core (measurable), two developmental, and three research HP2030 vision objectives to monitor America’s vision health and use of eye care services.

Diabetes is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among working-age adults ≥40. However, 90% of vision loss due to diabetes can be prevented. The Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes recommends people with diabetes receive comprehensive dilated eye exams every 1-2 years to prevent visual impairment and blindness, yet only 15.3% and 26.3% of patients with type 2 and type 1 diabetes, respectively adhere to these guidelines.

Interdisciplinary care plays an imperative role in ensuring that people with diabetes are referred to an optometrist or ophthalmologist to receive annual comprehensive dilated eye exams. Likewise, when symptoms of diabetes are detected on a routine eye exam, eye doctors should refer undiagnosed patients to a follow-up assessment by a primary care physician.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) conducted a study to assess gaps in and barriers to referrals and bidirectional communications between primary care providers and eye doctors. This study explores perceived best treatment practices to reduce risk, patient-provider conversations around diabetes-related eye disease, and referral practices.

The information gathered will be used to drive a multiyear eye health initiative through which the ADA has joined forces with vision health providers to strengthen collaboration and coordination of care. The initiative targets people at high risk for diabetes, people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and healthcare professionals with the goal of reducing the incidence and severity of diabetes-related eye disease through increased awareness, screening, and early intervention.

Introduction: Hispanic/Latino adults are disproportionally affected by Type 2 diabetes and related eye diseases associated with high rates of visual impairment and blindness. Hispanics/Latinos with lower socioeconomic status and less acculturation are more likely to have undiagnosed eye diseases due to limited access to eye care.
To promote eye health among Hispanics/Latinos, the National Eye Institute (NEI)’s National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) designed the ¡Ojo con su Visión! (Watch out for your vision!) pilot program. The goal of the pilot is to raise awareness among Hispanics/Latinos about the importance of maintaining eye health and to increase their intention to get a dilated eye exam.
Methods: The pilot will use a train-the-trainer model to build capacity among community health workers (CHWs) who will deliver education and patient navigation to Hispanic/Latino adults in the metropolitan areas of New York, NY, and Phoenix, AZ, in 2020.
Researchers will use a pre- and post-test design and constructs from the Health Belief Model to assess outcomes among Hispanic/Latino adults.
Expected Results: By the end of the pilot, we expect that Hispanic/Latino adults who participate will have: (1) Increased awareness and knowledge about eye health and dilated eye exams; (2) Increased perceived threat of vision impairment/eye diseases; (3) Increased self-efficacy to schedule a dilated eye exam; and (4) Increased intention to get an annual dilated eye exam.
Discussion: If proven effective, the Ojo pilot will inform future NEI efforts to scale up this community-based model to promote eye health among Hispanic/Latino adults.

Background: Worldwide, 80% of blindness and poor vision could be prevented or corrected (WHO, 2019). However, eye health terminology is technical in nature and often Frontline Health Workers (FLHW) lack training to address eye health. Yet FLHWs and others concerned with community wellness including teachers, local leaders, midwives and others can act to identify, prevent, treat, or refer eye conditions and vision problems when given clear explanations and actionable guidelines.

Methods: Hesperian Health Guides is a nonprofit organization that develops and disseminates practical, easy-to-understand health information materials in multiple languages. Hesperian implemented an iterative field-testing process involving FLHW and expert reviewers across three continents to develop a free, online resource, Problems with the Eyes and Seeing. Using friendly language the resource addresses basic eye care, how to identify common eye problems and emergencies, while taking into account the environmental, occupational, and nutritional determinants that affect eye health. Country-specific partnerships validated the resource, and then customized and translated it into eight more languages, available online and as printed booklets.

Results: Partner organizations across the world, from Cambodia to Haiti, Bangladesh to Guatemala are distributing and using the printed and online version of this resource in their respective languages. The versatility of the mobile-friendly online content, and of its lightweight printed counterpart, facilitates its use across a variety of rural settings. This presentation will provide feedback about how grassroots organizations have used Problems with the Eyes and Seeing to prevent and treat eye illness in rural areas of Guatemala, Mexico and Cambodia.