Carência de atenção à saúde ocular no setor público: um estudo de base populacional Shortage of ocular health care in the public system: a population-based study

Este estudo transversal de base populacional investigou a prevalência de utilização de serviços de saúde ocular e sua associação com fatores sócio-demográficos, necessidades em saúde e forma de financiamento da consulta. Avaliaram-se 2.960 indivíduos de 20 anos ou mais. Nos últimos cinco anos, 46% dos entrevistados e 30% daqueles com 50 anos ou mais não consultaram para os olhos. Dos que consultaram, 18% foram em óticas, e apenas 17% foram no setor público. O principal motivo foi não enxergar bem (69,5%). Falta de dinheiro (29%) e de tempo (24,6%) foram os principais motivos para ter deixado de consultar. Idade, escolaridade e nível econômico estiveram diretamente associados com ter consultado nos últimos cinco anos. Ser mulher, ter catarata, glaucoma e usar correção, bem como consultar no setor privado também estiveram positivamente associados com o desfecho. É preciso não só aumentar a participação do setor público, integrando a saúde ocular a todos os níveis de atenção, ampliando a participação de outros profissionais de saúde, como também intensificar o rastreamento de problemas oculares e a sua prevenção.<br>This cross-sectional population-based study investigated the prevalence of eye care services utilization and the association with socioeconomic and demographic factors, need for health care, and type of service payment. The study evaluated 2,960 adults aged 20 and older. In the previous 5 years, 46% of the sample and 30% of those aged 50 and older had not visited an eye care service. Among the persons who used a service, 18% went to an optical store and only 17% used the public health system. The main reason for using eye care services was poor vision (69.5%). Lack of money (29%) and time (24.6%) were the most frequently cited reasons for non-utilization. Age, education, and economic status were directly associated with the outcome. Female gender, cataract, glaucoma, prescription eyewear, and private appointments were also associated with the outcome. It is necessary to increase the public health system's role, integrating ocular health with all levels of health care, expanding participation by other health professionals, and intensifying screening and prevention of eye problems

Eye care utilization by older adults in low, middle, and high income countries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The risk of visual impairment increases dramatically with age and therefore older adults should have their eyes examined at least every 1 to 2 years. Using a world-wide, population-based dataset, we sought to determine the frequency that older people had their eyes examined. We also examined factors associated with having a recent eye exam.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The World Health Surveys were conducted in 70 countries throughout the world in 2002-2003 using a random, multi-stage, stratified, cluster sampling design. Participants 60 years and older from 52 countries (n = 35,839) were asked "When was the last time you had your eyes examined by a medical professional?". The income status of countries was estimated using gross national income per capita data from 2003 from the World Bank website. Prevalence estimates were adjusted to account for the complex sample design.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, only 18% (95% CI 17, 19) of older adults had an eye exam in the last year. The rate of an eye exam in the last year in low, lower middle, upper middle, and high income countries was 10%, 24%, 22%, and 37% respectively. Factors associated with having an eye exam in the last year included older age, female gender, more education, urban residence, greater wealth, worse self-reported health, having diabetes, and wearing glasses or contact lenses (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Given that older adults often suffer from age-related but treatable conditions, they should be seen on a regular basis to prevent visual impairment and its disabling consequences.</p