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Objective: To examine the rate of self-reported vision impairment, eye disease, and eye care utilization among residents of subsidized senior housing (SSH) communities., Methods: In this cross-sectional, observational study, residents of 14 SSH communities in Jefferson County, AL, USA self-reported their vision status and eye care utilization as part of vision screening events held in their community., Results: Two hundred and thirty-seven residents self-reported their vision status, presence of eye disease, and eye care utilization. A third of participants (33.3%) reported difficulty with distance vision while 38% reported difficulty with near vision. Rates of eye disease among this sample were as follows: 40.3% reported having cataracts, 13.6% reported having glaucoma, 4.2% reported having age-related macular degeneration, and 5.5% reported having diabetic retinopathy. The majority of participants (52.8%) had not been to see an eye care provider within the last year. Persons with vision impairment were less likely to report having seen an eye care provider within the last year than those without impairment ( p  = .03)., Conclusion: This study illuminates the low utilization of eye care among socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults residing in SSH, especially among those with vision impairment and eye disease. Vision-related health care is important in maintaining both physical and mental health in older adults.

Purpose: To assess vision health disparities in the United States by race/ethnicity, education, and economic status., Design: Cross-sectional, nationally representative samples., Methods: We used national survey data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Main outcome measures included, from NHANES, age-related eye diseases (ie, age-related macular degeneration [AMD], cataract, diabetic retinopathy [DR], glaucoma) and from NHIS, eye care use (ie, eye doctor visits and cannot afford eyeglasses when needed) among those with self-reported visual impairment. The estimates were age- and sex-standardized to the 2000 US Census population. Linear trends in the estimates were assessed by weighted least squares regression., Results: Non-Hispanic whites had a higher prevalence of AMD and cataract surgery than non-Hispanic blacks, but a lower prevalence of DR and glaucoma (all P < .001 in NHANES 2005-2008). From 1999 to 2008, individuals with less education (ie, high school) and lower income (poverty income ratio [PIR] <1.00 vs ≥ 4.00) were consistently less likely to have had an eye care visit in the past 12 months compared with their counterparts (all P < .05). During this period, inability to afford needed eyeglasses increased among non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics (trend P = .004 and P = .007; respectively), those with high school education (trend P = .036), and those with PIR 1.00-1.99 (trend P < .001)., Conclusions: Observed vision health disparities suggest a need for educational and innovative interventions among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: To examine the association between age-related eye disease (ARED), visual impairment, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL)., Methods: We used data from the 2006 and 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to examine self-reported visual impairment and two HRQOL domains-physical impairment (including poor general health, physical unhealthy days, activity-limitation days, and disability) and mental distress (including mental unhealthy days, life dissatisfaction, major depression, lifetime depression, and anxiety) for people aged 65 years or older, by ARED status., Results: People with any ARED were more likely than those without to report visual impairment as well as physical impairment and mental distress. The prevalence of visual impairment (P trend <0.001) and physical impairment (P trend <0.001) increased with increasing number of eye diseases after controlling for all covariates. There was no significant linear trend, however, in mental distress among people with one or more eye diseases., Conclusion: ARED was found to be associated with visual impairment and poorer HRQOL. Increasing numbers of AREDs were associated with increased levels of visual impairment and physical impairment, but were not associated with levels of mental distress.

Purpose To examine whether older adults with vision impairment differentially benefit from cognitive speed of processing training ( SPT) relative to healthy older adults. Methods Secondary data analyses were conducted from a randomised trial on the effects of SPT among older adults. The effects of vision impairment as indicated by (1) near visual acuity, (2) contrast sensitivity, (3) self-reported cataracts and (4) self-reported other eye conditions (e.g., glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, optic neuritis, and retinopathy) among participants randomised to either SPT or a social- and computer-contact control group was assessed. The primary outcome was Useful Field of View Test ( UFOV) performance. Results Mixed repeated-measures ancovas demonstrated that those randomized to SPT experienced greater baseline to post-test improvements in UFOV performance relative to controls ( p's < 0.001), regardless of impairments in near visual acuity, contrast sensitivity or presence of cataracts. Those with other eye conditions significantly benefitted from training ( p = 0.044), but to a lesser degree than those without such conditions. Covariates included age and baseline measures of balance and depressive symptoms, which were significantly correlated with baseline UFOV performance. Conclusions Among a community-based sample of older adults with and without visual impairment and eye disease, the SPT intervention was effective in enhancing participants' UFOV performance. The analyses presented here indicate the potential for SPT to enhance UFOV performance among a community-based sample of older adults with visual impairment and potentially for some with self-reported eye disease; further research to explore this area is warranted, particularly to determine the effects of eye diseases on SPT benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To discuss the current trend toward greater use of electronic health records and how these records could enhance public health surveillance of eye health and vision-related conditions. DESIGN: Perspective, comparing systems. METHODS: We describe 3 currently available sources of electronic health data (Kaiser Permanente, the Veterans Health Administration, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and how these sources can contribute to a comprehensive vision and eye health surveillance system. RESULTS: Each of the 3 sources of electronic health data can contribute meaningfully to a comprehensive vision and eye health surveillance system, but none currently provide all the information required. The use of electronic health records for vision and eye health surveillance has both advantages and disadvantages. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic health records may provide additional information needed to create a comprehensive vision and eye health surveillance system. Recommendations for incorporating electronic health records into such a system are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To review U.S. national population-based surveys to evaluate comparability and conceptual clarity of vision measures. DESIGN: Perspective. METHODS: The vision questions in 12 surveys were mapped to the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework under the domains of condition, impairment, activity limitation, participation, and environment. Surveys examined include the National Health Interview Survey, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the Census, and the Visual Function Questionnaire. RESULTS: Nearly 100 vision measures were identified in 12 surveys. These surveys provided no consistent measure of vision or vision impairment. Survey questions asked about differing characteristics of vision-related disease, function, and social roles. A question related to ability to read newspaper print was the most commonly asked question in surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Limited comparability of data and lack of conceptual clarity in the population-based surveys resulted in an inability to consistently characterize the population of people experiencing vision impairment. Consequently, vision surveillance was limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]