Utilisation of eye care services by urban and rural Australians
Open Access
- 1 January 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by BMJ in British Journal of Ophthalmology
- Vol. 86 (1), 24-27
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.86.1.24
Abstract
Aim: To investigate factors related to the use of eye care services in Australia. Methods: Health, eye care service use, and sociodemographic data were collected in a structured interview of participants in a population based study. All participants had a standard eye examination. Results: Men (OR 1.3 CL 1.02, 1.7), those who spoke Greek (OR 2.1 CL 1.1, 3.8) or Italian (OR 1.9 CL 1.0, 3.3), and those without private health insurance (OR 1.59 CL 1.22, 2.04) were more likely to have not used eye care services. Ophthalmology services were utilised at lower rates in rural areas (OR 0.14 CL 0.09, 0.2). Approximately 40% of participants with undercorrected refractive error, cataract, and undiagnosed glaucoma had seen either an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or both within the last year. Conclusion: Despite the similarity in prevalence of eye disease in urban and rural areas, significant differences exist in the utilisation of eye care services. Sex, private health insurance, urban residence, and the ability to converse in English were significant factors associated with eye healthcare service use. Many participants had undiagnosed eye disease despite having seen an eye care provider in the last year.Keywords
This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit:
- Prevalence and predictors of open-angle glaucoma Results from the visual impairment projectOphthalmology, 2001
- Age-Specific Causes of Bilateral Visual ImpairmentAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology, 2000
- Knowledge, attitudes, and self care practices associated with age related eye disease in AustraliaBritish Journal of Ophthalmology, 1998
- The prevalence of glaucoma in the melbourne visual impairment projectOphthalmology, 1998
- Use of eye care services by people with diabetes: the Melbourne Visual Impairment ProjectBritish Journal of Ophthalmology, 1998
- Knowledge and beliefs about common eye diseasesAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology, 1997
- Cataract surgery in Australia 1985–94Australian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology, 1996
- Prevalence of Open-angle Glaucoma in AustraliaOphthalmology, 1996
- Visual Acuity and the Causes of Visual Loss in AustraliaOphthalmology, 1996
- Methods for a population-based study of eye disease: the Melbourne Visual Impairment ProjectOphthalmic Epidemiology, 1994