Challenges and Barriers to Utilizing Eye Care Services Among Urban Population Globally: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Objective: Eye health is crucial for overall well-being, relying on eye care services for the prevention and treatment of vision disorders. Increasing blindness rates underscore the need for early detection. Despite known urban-rural disparities in eye care utilization, urban challenges are underexplored. This scoping review summarized and determined the challenges and barriers to utilizing eye care services specifications in urban populations globallyMaterial and Methods: A search was conducted on multiple databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, WOS, PubMed, and Google Scholar, covering the period of 2000 to 2023. The criteria were selected based on the PRISMA statements. The search focuses on challenges and barriers in utilizing eye care services.Results: The search identified 464 studies, and 18 were included in the final review. Person-related and service-related barriers can be distinguished from the review. The most common challenges were lack of felt need the eye care services and cost. Person-related barriers were found to be higher compared to service-related barriers among urban populations. Conclusion: The scoping review highlights significant person-related and service-related barriers to utilizing eye care services in urban populations globally. Despite the availability of services, person-related barriers were more pronounced, indicating a critical need for targeted interventions. Addressing these barriers is essential to enhance eye care services and reduce the prevalence of vision disorders in urban settings.