A new study suggests that offering free eye care services in primary care clinics serving low-income areas may help detect and address eye diseases among underserved populations. The Michigan Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and Eye Health Through Telemedicine (MI-SIGHT) Program found high rates of previously undiagnosed eye conditions among participants who had not had an eye exam in two or more years.
The study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, screened 1,171 adults in two low-income Michigan communities. Results showed 21% screened positive for glaucoma, 20% for cataracts, and 6% for diabetic retinopathy.
Notably, the research highlighted significant racial disparities in eye care access. While a previous survey found 85% of Black patients reported having an eye exam within the past two years, only 50% of Black participants over 50 in the MI-SIGHT program had done so.
Dr. Paula Anne Newman-Casey, lead researcher from the University of Michigan, emphasized the impact of socioeconomic factors on eye health: “Medical insurance does not always pay for glasses, making them often unaffordable for people with low incomes. This is likely why uncorrected refractive error remains the leading cause of visual impairment in the United States.”
The study also revealed barriers to eye care, with participants citing lack of insurance (28%), perceiving no need (22%), and cost (16%) as reasons for not getting exams.
Researchers hope these findings will encourage expansion of community-based eye screening programs and policy changes to improve eye care access for underserved populations.
See “Free Eye Care in Underserved Areas May Improve Disease Detection” (August 22, 2024)
