Factors that influence the receipt of eye care.

Objectives: To better understand what factors influence the receipt of eye care so that screening and education programs can be designed to promote early detection and treatment.

Methods: Twenty focus groups were conducted. Analyses entailed debriefing sessions, coding, and interpreting transcribed data.

Results: Attitudes about eyesight and eye exams influence the receipt of preventive eye care. Limited knowledge about certain eye diseases and conditions was reported. Participants stated that their primary care providers did not communicate information with them about eyesight nor did they conduct basic eye screenings.

Conclusions: Improving provider-patient interactions and developing public health messages about eye diseases and preventive eye care can facilitate increased use of appropriate eye care services.