Prevalence of Visual Impairment and Availability of Eye Care Providers in Florida

Abstract

To determine the association between prevalence of visual impairment and density of eye care providers in Florida counties. Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Population-based STUDY POPULATION: Ophthalmologist members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, licensed optometrists, and respondents of the 2015-2020 American Community Survey administered by the United States Census Bureau. The number of ophthalmologists collected from the American Academy of Ophthalmology member directory and the number of optometrists collected from the Florida Department of Health License registry were compared to prevalence of visual impairment in each county as reported by American Community Survey 2020 5-year Estimates. Median age, mean income, race, and percent uninsured of each county were collected from American Community Survey 2020 5-year Estimates. Number of eye care providers and prevalence of visual impairment per Florida county. Eye care provider density and mean income of each county were negatively correlated with visual impairment prevalence. Counties with zero eye care providers had significantly higher prevalence of visual impairment per 100,000 residents than those with at least one eye care provider. While adjusting for mean income, for every increase in 1 eye care provider per 100,000 people, there was an expected decrease in visual impairment prevalence by 31.15±14.58 people per 100,000 residents. For every increase in mean county income by $1,000, there was an expected mean±SE decrease in prevalence of VI by 24.02±9.90 people per 100,000 people. Increased eye care provider density and mean county income is associated with lower prevalence of visual impairment in Florida counties. Further studies may elucidate the cause for this relationship and solutions to decrease visual impairment prevalence.