National Eye Exam Month: A time to stress the importance of regular eye exams
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
August is widely recognized as National Eye Exam Month, a time to spread awareness about the importance of annual eye exams.
According to the CDC, about 11 million Americans older than 12 years require vision correction, which is just one reason eye exams are important. Early identification of eye diseases is also critical.
In recognition of National Eye Exam Month, Healio has compiled a list of recent stories that demonstrate the importance of regular eye exams.
Despite increase in vision coverage, younger generations less likely to plan next eye exam
The latest Vision Council Consumer inSights report highlights key generational differences in eye care, with younger generations less likely to receive their next exam within 12 months, despite an increase in vision coverage.
According to a council press release, the second-quarter findings are based on a survey of 12,058 U.S. adults, which examined consumer purchasing habits and attitudes about vision correction, managed vision care, eye exams and eye wear. Read more.
Vision screening, eye exam rates lower among children from disadvantaged backgrounds
Survey data suggest that social, health-related and economic factors may drive disparities in access to pediatric eye care, according to a study published in Ophthalmology.
“For decades, challenges in obtaining vision screening and eye care have persisted among children from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Bani Antonio-Aguirre, MD, MPH, postdoctoral research fellow at Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins Medicine, and colleagues wrote. Read more.
AOA launches The Eye to emphasize importance of comprehensive eye care
The American Optometric Association has launched The Eye, an educational tool that highlights the capabilities of human vision and the importance of maintaining eye health, the organization announced in a press release.
The Eye is part of AOA’s Eye Deserve More, a national awareness campaign that promotes comprehensive, in-person eye care as a key component of overall health and well-being. Read more.
DocGo, Spect partner to improve in-home diabetic eye exams, screening services
DocGo and Spect have partnered to provide mobile health clinicians a more cost-effective way to screen patients at home for diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases, according to a DocGo press release.
“Annual diabetic eye exams are extremely important for people living with diabetes to ensure necessary treatment is received to protect their vision,” James Powell, MD, CEO of DocGo’s clinical practice group, said in the release. “Unfortunately, this exam is often skipped or delayed. It’s also one of the hardest HEDIS quality measures for health plans to close. By integrating Spect’s scalable and portable technology into DocGo’s technology and services, we can increase the number of eligible members screened and help improve patient care and health plan quality ratings.” Read more.
AI system boosts diabetic eye exam completion rates among youth with diabetes
An autonomous artificial intelligence system increased diabetic eye exam completion rates in youth with diabetes and could help close the care gap in underserved communities, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
“While the introduction of telemedicine over the last two decades has improved screening and facilitated early detection of diabetic eye disease [DED], the development of diagnostic autonomous artificial intelligence systems for diagnosing DED has ushered in the next chapter of DED screening,” Risa M. Wolf, MD, from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. Read more.
Only 14% of US children that get eye exams are 7 years or younger
Children in the U.S. are not receiving timely management for refractive error or ocular conditions, according to research conducted by CooperVision and presented at the 2024 Global Specialty Lens Symposium.
“This abstract sheds light on how underserved children are in eye care, especially the youngest,” lead author Justin Kwan, OD, FAAO, senior manager of myopia management at CooperVision, told Healio. “It also quantifies the opportunity available to all eye care professionals in advancing myopia management as standard of care for their practice and community.” Read more.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on Sept. 10, 2024, to correct the statistic regarding eye exam rates among young children. Healio regrets the error.
Reference:
- Why eye exams are important. https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/about-eye-disorders/why-eye-exams-are-important.html. Published May 15, 2024. Accessed Aug. 26, 2024.
Collapse
Healio Coverage
Read more about
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts