Survey effect on use of eye care by older persons with correctable visual impairment.

Purpose: To assess changes in the pattern of eye care utilization among older Australians with correctable visual impairment, identified in an eye survey.

Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) examined 3654 Australians aged >or= 49 years at baseline (BMES-I). Five-year follow-up examinations were attended by 2334 participants, 75.0% of survivors (BMES-II). Interviewers collected data on eye care utilization at each visit. Habitual (presenting) and best-corrected visual acuity were assessed using a LogMAR chart. Survey reports, including visual acuity and recommendations were sent to participants after each visit. Those with under-corrected refractive error were informed that they could benefit from a new distance prescription. Eye care utilization was compared before and after the BMES-I survey.

Results: Of 2152 participants with data from both examinations, 26 had non-correctable and 115 had correctable visual impairment at BMES-I. The proportion of the 115 participants with correctable visual impairment who reported seeing an eye care provider during the previous 2 years increased from 55% at BMES-I to 64% at BMES-II. Comparing the data collected at BMES-II with that at BMES-I, a higher proportion of reported optometric visits in the previous 5 years was evident for all participants regardless of their correctable visual impairment status. Among those with correctable visual impairment at BMES-I, 58% improved to no visual impairment at BMES-II, and the proportion who subsequently wore distance correction increased from 57% to 71%.

Conclusions: We observed modest increases in eye care utilization by older persons after an eye survey, particularly those with correctable visual impairment.